NOT ALL HOPELESS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 4 May 1926, Page 9

NOT ALL HOPELESS

DETERIORATED LANDS

COMPLAINTS FKOM HOLDERS.

Applications are now coming forward for revaluing backward lands under the Deteriorated Lands Act of last session, and already' some of the committees have commenced operations. In making a statement to this effect the Minister of Lands (the Hon. A. D. M'Leod) pointed out that within the areas which have been proclaimed subject to the Act thcrb are many farms which are-showing no signs of deterioration. ... ..... "I am receiving letters from many freehold settlors,". he said, "complaining that their lands have, been included in the gazetted areas, and that as a consequence their ability, to finance their farming operations is being greatly prejudiced. . ■■■:■■" "It will be remembered that when the legislation was before the House I warned members that exaggerated statements of tho position would do a great, deal of harm, and that while I recognised that conditions were far from satisfactory, I regarded it as a great mistake to say- that the whole district was hopeless. In order to preveut the inclusion of districts 'which were not in need of assistance, specific areas were not referred to in the legislation,- but ; it • was framed in such a manner that my officers could from time to time, after careful inspection, recommend the proclamation of the areas for which the legislation was enacted. , .... "Subsequently," added the Minister, "it was found that to gazette individual holdings' within a given district was almost an impossibility, and it became necessary to adopt county and riding boundaries, rivers, and. road survey blocks for tho purpose, of the 'Gazette.' It is fully recognised that within . such gazetted areas yiere are good individual holdings, the owners of which ask for no assistance whatever. "