LAND FOR SETTLEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 23124, 25 November 1938, Page 13

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT

MACHINE PREPARATION ENVISAGED PREMIER'S PLANS [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Nov. 24. The modern ad-making machinery in use on the construction of the new highway through the Ngahauranga Gorge was inspected to-day by the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) and several of his Ministerial colleagues. This work, which involves the rea.ignment and widening of the existing road, is expected to be completed in about nine months’ 'ime. The excavation and removal of spoil will take from another six to seven months, and the sealing of the surface ready for use approximately another two months. “It was a revelation to me,” said Mr Savage, discussing the machinery he had seen at work in the gorge. ‘‘lt was the first time I had seen this modern machinery at work, and the methods I knew would not approach anywhere near those I saw in use on tl Ngahauranga Gorge road. There were machines, operated by me man which did more in a few minutes than that man could do on his own in the greater part of his lifetime. I have heard criticism of the expenditure on public works, but anyone can see values being created all around .hem by the use of this modern equipment.” Mr Savage said he wanted to see the use of similar machinery for the development of land for settlement. Modern machinery could be utilised to stump, drain, plough and till the land ready for cultivation in one-tenth of the time taken under the old obsolete methods. He understood there * were agents arranging for exhibitions I up-to-date machinery capable of preparing the country for agricultural puroos?s. “ There are great possibilities for the development of land for settlement by the ucj of modern mechanical equipment,” said Mr Savage. “The Government hopes to make use of these methods. To-day a man goes to the State Advances Corporation and gets an advance to enable him to develop a farm for himself, but, by the use of obsolete methods it takes him the remainder of his days to 'et a return. I think we can do better than that and "ive that settler a chance of some immediate return. Bv the use of machinery we can clear the land at one-fifth of the cost both for those who already occupy the land as well as for the farmers of the future.” In addition to Mr Savage the Ministerial party included the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple), the Minister of Mines (Mr P. C. Webb), the Attorney-General (Mr ii. G. R. Mason), and the Leader of tin. Legislative Council (Mr M. Fagan).