“NO TRAGIC WASTE”

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 24 May 1932, Page 8

“NO TRAGIC WASTE”

GALATEA SETTLEMENT. MINISTER REPLIES TO CRITICS A 'denial of assertions that there was to be a cessation of ‘work on the Galatea Estate of 22,000 acres recently purchased by the Government, and that there had been “tragic waste'* in the early developmental work was made by the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, in a statement to “The Dominion” at Wellington on Saturday. The Minister refused statements .that the work on the estate had come to an end, and he said that although there might have to he a change in the procedure, it was fuliy intended to push ahead in order that settlers could be placed on the property as soon as possible. “My attention has been drawn to. a., article appearing in the Auckland ‘Star’ on May 14, with reference to the Galatea Estate,” Mr. Ransom said. “In a general sense the contributor of the article has not been correctly informed of the position. At the outset I wish to state that the inference that blunders have been made in the methods adopted in carrying out the initial development work is quite er ■ I'oneous.

“When Galatea was purchased n* January, 1931, for delivery in March. 1932), jit was confidently anticipated that a programme designed to effect the settlement of about 120 settlers early in 1933 c-ould be carried out. An important feature in connection with the purchase was an arrangement with the vendor that certain preliminary work such as road construction, scrub cutting, and fencing, could proceed immediately the transaction was com pleted. LARGE: NUMBERS EMPLOYED. “These works provided facilities foi the employment of a large number of men at a critical time, and financial authority was made available to the Public Works Department to enable it to proceed with the work. As one of that department’s recent Ministers, 1 have every confidence in its orgam-sa tion, and 1 can vouch for the efficient control and supervision of the various preliminary works already carried out. “The correspondent states that ‘everyone is frankly puzzled at the complete cessation of development work,’ ” !Mr. Ransom continued. “The position is that the road work is practically complete, essential scrub cutting has been carried out, and fencing has proceeded no a to the point when any further erection will interfere with the proposed cultivation work and the handling of the station stock. These works all offered scope for employment to a fairly large number of manual labourers, who were steadily employed until completion, when, of course, they had to he dismissed. '

“The second phase of development work is just about to begin. This will include the cultivation and grassing of land at present carrying indifferent pasture, and the top-dressing and reconditioning, of the balance of the estate. It must be recognised that this part of the development activity does not provide scope for a great deal of manual labour, but it is nevertheless esential in preparing the estate for successful settlment in small areas. It may be said, therefore, that the actual development work is only beginning. SETTLEMENT INTENDED. “It is not tne intention of the Government to change its policy so rar as the ultimate settlement of Galatea is concerned; but in the light of the present unfavourable economic conditions my denartment has a serious responsibiity in determining the form of m'Ocedure. It must be remembered that a material adverse change has taken place since Galatea was purchased, and this factor naturally affects the chances of success of the prospective settlers. The early stages of a new settlement are difficult under any conditions, but those difficulties are intensified when the land on being opened for settlement is not sufficiently developed to ensure profitable occupation. “For many years Galatea has been worked as a sheep station, and naturally the regrassing of a. considerable area is necessary before dairying can be carried on. As a preliminary to settlement the department’s intention is to bring each section to a standard of pasture which will ’provide for at least a small herd of cows, and it is not in the interests either of the State or of the settler to allow settlement to proceed until this is accomplished. PROGRAMME ALTERED.

“On account oi the adverse conditions referred to it has been necessary to vary to some extent the original programme of development, but the finance for the current year’s expenditure is assured, and I hope that the financial position will so tar improve in the coming; year as to ensure a full development programme being put into effect. 1 am satisfied that the estate is being handled in the best interests or the State,, the taxpayer, and the prospective settlers, and the public may have my assurance that the estate will be opened for selection sjs soon as 'practicable. “There has been no ‘tragic waste,’ ” Mr. Ransom concluded. “The estate is being handled so as to obtain a maximum return and to ensure that when settlement is effected the incoming settlers will have the best possible chance of success.”