A CRYING WANT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 90, 15 April 1908, Page 4

A CRYING WANT.

A very important discussion, initiated by Mr John Duncan, took place at the meeting of the Land Board on Tuesday. Mr Duncan pointed out that settlement had been for a long time practically at a standstill in the district, though a keen demand existed for land, , and reason for the inaction appeared* to be the made-: quacy of the field force.. Surveyors could not be found to do the work,, and there was no keeping pace with the demand. Mr Reader, who supported. Mr Duncan in the matter, said ever since he had'been a member the Board had been hampered for want of an adequate, survey staff, and surveyors could not be got for "love,nor money." The. Commissioner also admitted that, there were not enough surveyors in the country to cope with the work, and he stated that in the whole of Australasia. last year, while 45 candidates sat for the surveyors' examination, only six of them passed! The fact that surveyors are scarce seems to be at the r,ootof the trouble, and it does not appear how they are to be obtained, except resort be had to the Old Country. There is a shortage o f skilled labour in many branches of industry, due to the same1 cause, the rapid advance which the Dominion is making in all directions. The exIpansion taking place has altogether outstripped the means of dealing with it, and every industry must perforce 'stand still till further aid is available In the matter of land settlement, the same trouble is making itself ,felt in the lack of surveyors, and it can only be dealt with by obtaining the necessary professional skill from: abroad, lne need for relief is imperative, for the success of, every industry depends u P°n l**d settlement; if that is at a standstill the-trade of the Dominion generally will suffer. . The matter £ therefore one tof .vital concern', which shouia engage'the earnest attention of the Government without delay