LAND DETERIORATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 May 1925, Page 6

LAND DETERIORATION

COMMITTEE’S REPORT.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, May 22. The Committee which investigated the deterioration of land which once grassed has been allowed to return to fern and scrub, reports that out of 1990 holdings, totalling 874,700 acres in Taranaki and South Auckland, 75, with an area of 42,905 acres, were abandoned. The most potent factors were _ wet climate, insufficient fencing, injudicious stocking and grassing, booms and slumps, want of access, steep country and. want of capital. The” Committee’s recommendations are very lengthy and cover much detail Among other things, they consider that many holdings are too small in hilly land, and the minimum area should be enlarged to enable properties to worked economically. Where a settler had no ploughable land, it would be a great benefit to enable him to add a piece to his holding. Road, subsidies should be increased, and local bodies given larger powers to obtain money for reading Tn view of the large amount already spent, tne Committee advises caution before finally abandoning any of this class ot country. Revaluation is advisaple in view of the changpd conditions since the land was taken up. In some cases a remission of rent up to five years will be required. The average cost to get the land back to profit will be £1 15s to £2 3s 6d per acre.