CLOSER SETTLEMENT DEPUTATION

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 119, 12 February 1908, Page 3

CLOSER SETTLEMENT DEPUTATION

MINISTER'S SYMPATHETIC REPLY. (by telz'ghaph—press association.) ■ Feiltflng, February 11. ' During his visit to tho Feilding district yesterday afternoon, the Minister for Lands received a deputation at Cheltenham, which pointed out tho desirability of acquiring somo estates in tho district for closer sottle■ment. Theso estates, .included ■ Messrs. Elkington's, Johnston's, and,-E. J. Riddi-, :ford's, the latter,/it was pointed out, being 'an absentee. It was pointed out that the 'land could bo well cut up ..into: from 50 'to '100 aero farms. Replying, tho Minister said it was desirable to have closer settlement in a fertile district like Cheltenham, so as to work tho land 'to the fullest extent. It seemed a pity that such land should- bo held -in such largo areas, employing, so few people. Ho did not know any place' where closer sottloment could bo .moro advantageously carried out than at Cheltenham. Ho did not, like to have tocnforco tho compulsory clause of tho Act, alwayß preferring to negotiate for voluntary :sa!e. ' Immediately on his return to Wellington ho would instruct tho chairman of the Land Purchase Board to communicate with ■the owners of the land referred to to ascertain whether thoy would disposo of tho land ;at a reasonable liguro. If not, tho furtner question arises:-What-step the Government should tako if owners of largo properties did not rccognise that the time had como when land must be subdivided. They could not bo allowed to block closer settlomont, n,nd tho question of compulsory acquisition must como in. ' \