IN A NEW LAND

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 90, 13 October 1923, Page 8

IN A NEW LAND

AGRICULTURAL EXPERT'S VISIT "ADMIRABLY ADAPTED FOE HIGH-CLASS STOCK." Mr. F. B. Smith, the representative of agriculture on the British Overseas Settlement Delegation, arrived in Wellington from the North yesterday afternoon. Mr. Smith was formerly concerned with agriculture and land settlement 'in South Africa, and was for some eighteen years in that country. He ■went to South Africa with Lord Milner at the conclusion of the Boer War, his special duty being to assist in the re-settlement of the land. He was for some time Secretary for Agriculture ■tinder the South African Union Government. Mr. Smith now occupies the important position of Reader in Estate Management in the University of Cambridge. To a "Poet" reporter to-day Mr. Smith-stated the objects of the delegation.. They had, he remarked, come to New Zealand on behalf of the Overseas Settlement Committee, which was appointed by the Imperial Government to advise it in connection with migration within the Empire. A consider-able-sum of money had been set aside hinder the Empire Settlement Act to-as-sist in the settlement of British people in the overseas Dominions. The Imperial Government desired 1o co-oper-ate with the Governments .of the Dominions in that work. The mission of the delegation was to ascertain the prospects for settlers, and submit a report on ( the subject to the Home authorities.

Mr. Smith said that he arrived in Auckland from Sydney on the 3rd inst., and was met by Mr. J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary, for.Lands,.who had arranged an itinerary for; him throughout the Dominion. The visitor said that he .had had - a most interesting tour through part of the North Island, and had been afforded the fullest information in each district by the various Commissioners of Crown Lands and the .Crown Lands rangers. RUAKURA STATE FARM. Speaking of his visit to the State Farm at Ruakura, Mr. Smith said he was surprised and pleased to note the excellent manner in which the farm was laid out ajid was being managed. The stock, were in fine condition, and the equipment was good. The institution "would, in his opinion, prove valuable for the training of students in practical agriculture. The visitor sketched his trip through the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, and Hawkes Bay districts. He noted the fertile land near Opotiki, Whakatane, and Gisborne, and in Hawkes Bay, and drew attention to the rich land reclaimed from the Rangitaiki Swamp. ■ - "Throughout my tour," he said, "I ■was impressed with the amount of stock •the, land carried. The climate and the Soil are admirably adapted for the keeping of high-class stock. I have always heard "so much about New Zealand that I am very glad to have the present opportunity of visiting the country; and, in addition to embodying my views in the official report of the Overseas Delegation, I shall now be in a position to advise students at Cambridge, many of ■whom, after completing their course of study, want to proceed abroad." Allnding again to the special object of his "visit, he remarked that, in his opinion, agricultural labourers had good prosj>ects of • advancement in this country. ". Mr. Smith called on His Exceliency Hie Governor-General to-day. He leaves for Nelson this evening, and will thence proceed through Marlborough, Canterbury, and Otago to Southland, and will leave Wellington for America on the BOth inst.