SALE OF MARKET GARDEN LAND

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27443, 1 September 1954, Page 10

SALE OF MARKET GARDEN LAND

USE FOR HOUSING CRITICISED

“It is disquieting to read in ‘The Press’ a report of the sale for housing of some first-class market garden land in the Burwood district,” said Mr J. B. Taylor, secretary of the Christchurch Fruit and Produce Merchants’ and Auctioneers* Association, in a statement yesterday. “The New Zealand Fruit and Produce Merchants* and Auctioneers’ Federation, together with the Dominion Council of Commercial Gardeners, has consistently drawn public attention to the ultimate effects of the loss of market garden land for housing adjacent to main centres of population,” said Mr Taylor. “It is well known that the Burwood district produces the best celery and lettuce, among other vegetables, in New Zealand, and it is nothing short of a tragedy that this land should be gradually going out of production. My members realise that the problem is a difficult one as the owner of the land has rights which cannot be ignored. “It would seem that the only solution is for the State to take over at true value such land and lease it for market gardening purposes, and it is pleasing to know that the Government is considering taking action in regard to this serious problem. The further production is driven from consuming areas, the dearer and poorer in quality must vegetables become. It Is hoped that too much delay will not occur in finding a solution,” concluded Mr Taylor.