IRRIGABLE LANDS

Evening Star, Issue 25724, 22 February 1946, Page 10

IRRIGABLE LANDS

FARMERS DISCUSS TENURE

DISINHERITANCE POLICY ALLEGED

" That as the result of extremely alarming information regarding the future tenure of irrigable lands received by this executive, the Minister of Lands be asked to make a definite statement of the Government'6 policy on this question " was the text of a motion carried yesterday by the Otago Provincial Executive of the Federated Farmers of New Zealand. " This is in the natural course of' the Government's policy of disinheritance," said the chairman (Mr J. S. Hunt) when he explained the Public Works Department's policy Ifor the future irrigable lands to the meeting. Mr Hunt said that the department had placed before the Cabinet recommendations for the taking over by the Crown of all land at present under Government irrigation schemes and all land which would come under any future Government schemes. Those lands would be made into State farms, he said, and settlers would be State tenants. He had been advised that it was most unlikely that the Cabinet would go against the advice of its officers. He criticised strongly the principle that Government policy should be drawn, up by paid Government servants. Considerable discussion took place on the motion, which was seconded by Mr E. B. Boyd and carried unanimously.