MINISTER FOR LANDS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18671, 21 April 1926, Page 9

MINISTER FOR LANDS.

WEST COAST DEPUTATIONS. (anoux. *0 Tmua ") GRBYMOUTH, April SO. The Minister for Linda, the Son. A. - D, HoLeod, acoompanied by Mr E S, Holland, Mj.P., arrived from Westport this afternoon. He later paid a visit of inspection to foal Greek flat, lm connexion with river erosion in feat locality. / Prior to receiving a deputation at the Council Chamber* thia evenlns, the Minister waa officially welcomed by the Mayor (Mr W.H. Parfltt), Mr T. E. ?. Seddon, M.P., and representatives of the various local bodies. The Miniater, in reply, thanked the meeting for its cordial reception. He stated wiat his anticipation* regarding the West Coast hospitality had been amply fulfilled. He intended to help the man on the land to the beet of his ability, as he recognised he was having a hard struggle. He pointed out that the Deterioration of Lands Aet was specially intended to refer to Mttain areas in the North Island, but was left open to include other lands. Ho realised that some of the South Island would have to be included and had had prb visional areas marked oat by his officers to Include the Nelson and Westland districts. He outlined the provisions of tbe Act on lines similar to those in hit speech jkt MvseU--800. liver SroaUxu In reply to the deputation* teg) Hitting river erosion at Goal Oreek,>t|e Minister promised to do all he eonld/ to expedite a report oa the matter, and said that bis secretary would wire to Wellington immediately la ' connexion therewith. <He referred to the extended powers given to local bodies tor river protection, and expected them to determine what action they would take. His sympathies woro firstly with tike Coal Creek settlers who held the land under freehold, which tenure also demands responsibilities. He emphasised the necessity of the local bodies and settlers taking some action after the report was brought down, O&erwfqe they eould not expect much assistance from the Government in connexion with river erosion. The fact of the wire groynes rusting shows plainly that they were not receiving proper attention. Totara Flat was a rich district,. and the settlers were by no means poor people. He would urge the Grey County Council and settlers to tackle the job of helping themselves, and then see what the Government would do in the matter. , Ooaatal Boad. The Minister was very sympattiette with the request to expedite the construction of the road to give access to settlers in the Inchbonnie and Bo torn anu districts, and said he would place the urgency of the matter before his colleague, the Minister for Pnb&c Works. He expressed himself, ae favourable to the early completion of the Westport-Grev coastal road, and s*id he understood that the unfinished portion of the road and bridges would be constructed as soon as the money was - available. Regarding removing the mining reservations from river-flat lands, the natter was receiving consideration, but would require thorough investigation before legislation could be brought down.

So stated that certain negotiations were proceeding in connexion with native leases, with a view'to the Grown purchasing the areaa from landleaa natives, but he was not conversant with the question of town areas. The Minister was later tendered a reception by representatives of the local bodies. He leaves to-morrow for Hokitika.