BRINGING THE LAND BACK

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 118, 22 May 1925, Page 6

BRINGING THE LAND BACK

_ The Special Committee which investigated the deterioration of North Island lands has evidently been remarkably thorough, and its report is an authoritative statement of the extent to which deterioration has proceeded. The estimate of the area which has gone back may possibly be overstated as the Committee appears to have based its returns on statements submitted by 310 settlers, whereas there are 1990 Crown holdings in the area considered. Settlers in difficulties and hoping for relief will always supply information more readily than those who expect no assistance. Yet, making allowance for this, the trouble is shown to be widespread, and though optimism, inducing specuative buying, may have contributed to the problem now presented, the Government clearly must endeavour, to apply remedial measures. The measures indicated by the report fall, roughly, into two classes: (I) Educative; (2) financial. With the first class there need be little difficulty. The Department of Agriculture has overcome many other^ difficulties, and there is no reason to fear that its experts will • fail to discover the best method of restoring these lands to productivity. The financial difficulty may not be so easily grappled with. Much of the area is heavily loaded, and how can this load be lightened? If the Crown and the settlers were the only parties interested an equitable arrangement might be made speedily; but seemingly third parties are l affected also. The Committee mentions high prices for goodwill on transfer, ■ but does not state whether any part of these prices is secured by mortgage. It seems, however, that the method applied with some success to the soldier-settlement problem may be necessary here.> Where third par-' ties were interested in the success of the soldiers, and stood to gain from State assistance, the Government made the grant of that assistance conditional upon the third parties also doing their part. If assistance is to be given now it must be on such conditions that the settlers will be enabled to continue in occupation with a reasonable prospect of obtaining a living from their holdings. The Minister, of Lands may be trusted to grapple successfully with the practical farming difficulties of restoration, and we believe he may be relied upon also to watch the State interests in deciding how financial aid may fairly be afforded.