TUTABURU BACK COUNTRY.

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1140, 21 July 1930, Page 5

TUTABURU BACK COUNTRY.

)EVELOPMENT SOUGHT. Co-ordinating Interests. Deputation to Ministers. "V■ ■ . . favourable reception was given Hon. E. A. Ransom (Minister of nds), Hon. W. A. Veitch (Minister Railways) and Hon. A. J. Mur:h (Minister of Agriculture) to a station from the southern end of Matamata county, at Wellington Thursday, when the deputation uested the Government to assist settlers in rationalising the rerces of their district under the visions of the Regional Planning

'he deputation consisted of Messrs. S. Cox and M. E. Fitz3]d (Matamata County Council), B. Campbell (Tokoroa Press League), J. Mossop (chairn Tokoroa Dairy Company) and G. Griffiths (representing Pusru Town Board and Chamof Commerce). Mr. F. G. del (chairman of directors of the po Totara Timber Company) ac-. ipanied the deputation, while 1 srs. J. B. Thompson (Lands Dement) 'and Turner (Forestry artment) were also in attend-

e. Mr.- C. H. Clinkard, M.P., inuced the deputation. Mr. F. Lye, who attended in the morning, not able to be present when the listers were met in the afternoon, he deputation, which represented m public bodies, stated that its lest was a business proposal af:ti£ the transport and financial iitions of the southern end of the amata county and portion of the I Taupo county. They desired that {investigation be carried out unthe Regional --Planning Act to ile the resources of the area ed to be organised in the best iblte manner. The question had i carefully considered over a od of 10 years, and it had been id that it was impossible to y out the deputation’s wish withthe assistance of the GovemL This was because there were e areas of national lands and I within the territory. The hope | expressed that any reply would based on evidence of the past, |h might refer to sickness on a lon of the land. This fact was Bitted, as was the fact that Comlioner Skeates had condemned the fte area from Matamata southijs as being only • suitable for King in large blocks by men of jtal. Mr. Skeates was not conlied for that, because in the light ne knowledge of his day that was ■ opinion generally held. Sin,ce

i, however,, it had been found that ■only successful method of handthis country was in small areas i plenty of topdressing. Even e Mr. Skeates had enunciated his :y rich men like Mr. Firth had huge sums of money, while the tish Widows’ Insurance Block at ’oi had been hawked all over New and at from five to seven shiliper acre. hile this policy was in vogue a ster in a Liberal Government 26 . S ago had shown wonderful fore- J t and courage in opening the I smata estate for settlement. Even several settlers had walked off t sections. Last year was the anniversary of this settlement, figures taken out showed that dairy factories within 62 miles he Matamata post office had proid, at London parity, approxiily £1,000,000 worth of dairy luce. This would be a wonderful It from the best and cleanest ling land in New Zealand. When as recalled that it was obtained 1 land which had been described tainted and had been condemned figures were staggering. Mataa was fortunate, and had railway ffiunication, which had enabled 'P manures to be obtained, and Mre had proved to be the life "l of these areas. The southern still lacked suitable means of 'sport, and this militated against supply of cheap manures. If this Ply could be guaranteed the depu°n knew from present returns on 'y farms that equally-astonishing ■lts would be obtained from the rict which they represented. To J re cheap freights it was essenthat permanency be secured for Taupo Totara Timber Company’s ) as this company’s bush would be out in from 12 to 15 years. By all the bush in the dist this would .guarantee perman- ? for the line, the cost of which to be made a charge on the tim- • Without such a guarantee the 'Pany was not in a position to the necessary rolling stock foter for settlers. With such cheap farms would soon be im-

proved and would thus assist in providing easier financial conditions. It was contended that there was a ring drawn round a portion of the district and no loans were granted within that area. This was due to the low valuations put on the properties, which valuation had no relation to the proven productive capacity. Though gaps had been made in this ring through the deputation’s efforts in the past, it was Requested that this disability be also inquired into with a view to conditions being improved. Two years ago a subsidy on' manures carried on the T.T.T. line had been secured, and it Was requested that this be renewed pending the investigation. The Railways Department owned a large block of bush within the area, and it was asked that the department should -consider its policy with regard to this bush in relation to the request of the deputation for assistance in a scheme of rationalisation. A Liberal Government had shown wonderful courage and foresight in dealing with the Matamata district, and it was hoped that 26 years later another Liberal Government would show similar courage and foresight in dealing with the southern end of the Matamata county.

The deputation left with the Ministers sheets of data referring to production, also the quantity of heavy goods- and other material which was being carted by road, and which, if suitable arrangements could be made, would be transported by the railway.

Owing to the fact that the House had resumed its sitting, at the conclusion of the Address-in-Reply debate, Mr. Ransom regretted that there was not time for a more detailed reply. However, he had been impressed with the facts laid before him, and he thought he could give the assurance that the investigation asked for would be carried out. They could rest assured that the Government would do all it possibly could to assist. Reference had been made to scientific research, and he was pleased to state that, from reports he had received, it appeared that they were on the verge of a discovery that would enable the problems of the district referred to to be overcome in a manner far easier than had been previously thought possible. The evidence presented would be carefully considered and a written reply would be forwarded. Hon. A. J. Murdoch, who -had to leave shortly before the conclusion of the interview, said he was only interested in the manure subsidy, the cost of which had to be found by his department. However, he would go carefully into the matter and see if the subsidy could be renewed as had been requested. Hon. W. A. Veitch told the deputation quite definitely that he had made up his mind in regard to his policy in connection with the block of railway bush within the area. However, he would not go into details in regard to that attitude just then, and it could he included in the announcement which the Government would make on all the points raised by the deputation. It is understood that the new Minister of Railways, the Hon. W. A. Veitch, has no intention of the department working the bush referred to, and that it will be sold.