DETERIORATED LANDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 192, 18 July 1925, Page 3

DETERIORATED LANDS.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE’S REPORT. DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 17. In the House of Representatives this afternoon the Hon. A. D. McLeod laid on the table the report of the special committee appointed to inquire into deteriorated lands in certain districts of the North Island. The total area examined was 874,000 acres, about 40 per cent, of which was reverting to its original condition. The committee was composed of very practical men, who were personally known to the Minister, and in their judgment he had every confidence. He considered that the recent slump was one of the chief causes of deterioration of this land and one of the remedies was closer settlement and heavier stocking on smaller areas. The settlers had been misled by the fertility of the lands and had cut down too much hush before they were in a position to adequately stock it. Additional finance was, therefore, necessary to assist the settlers in the erection of dividing fences and the purchasing of additional stock. Much of the land no doubt should never liav.e been cleared of bush as when the roots had rotted it would probably become subject to heavy slips. Reading was ajso a complex question and would cost a lot of money, but it was nevertheless the duty of the Government to hold on to as much of this land as possible and to keep it productive. 'There was the further question of valuations. At present there was a difference between the Lands Department and the Valuation Department as to the value of these lands for renting purposes. This should not be and lie proposed setting up a committee of three practical men to bring the valuations • into linne. At present many of the valuations for taxing purposes were higher than the selling values. There were also the “cattle sick” lands on which the Agricultural Department was doing valuable work in seeking out the cause of the trouble. This was a ease in which a good deal of money , must be lost in doing pioneer work, and he was disposed to let enterprising men have these lands rent free if they could only be induced to hold on and fight through to success. There was still the question of assisting the settlers on these lands. If the Government came in with cheap money, then the Government loans must have priority of all other mortgages. He had no desire to interfere unfairly with the existing mortgages, but he suggested that the committee which ho proposed to set up would endeavour to arrange with the owners and the mortgagees in such a way that State loans could become a first charge on the lands affected.

Mr Masters congratulated the Minister on bringing down the report so early, and hoped the necessary legislation would soon follow. It was a mistake to suppose these lands were of little value; they would become most valuable so soon as sward grass could be established. The recommendations of the commission might, however, have been more drastic in many respects. Messrs J. C. Rolleston and Savage both stressed the necessity of doing everything to keep the country settlers where they were. Mr Hockley dealt with the question of pumice lands, which lie described as the greatest untouched asset the Dominion still had. Every, encouragement should be given to companies and individuals to take up this class of land and bring it into cultivation. Mr Corrigan said that cheap fertilisers was one of the chief factors in solving the problem -of deteriorating lands.

Mr Field complained that much steep country had been senselessly divested of its forest covering, the effect of which was to' convert the hill sides into a mass of slips, becoming in the end simply a harbour for noxious weeds, lie thought the Government should step in and stop this stupid policy. Mr Holland suggested that, as the report was important, and copies were not yet in the hands of members, the discussion should be carried on next week, and the Minister agreed to this course.

THE COMING WOOL SEASON. AUCTION DATES FIXED. . Dales for the sales to be held in llie different, centres during tha coining wool season have been fixed. There is a- possibility "of the dates being varied when the brokers and buyers meet at a conference to be held in Wellington on November 14 next. The dales are as follow: November 16. Wellington; November 20, Napier; November 24, Wanganui; November 27. Auckland.

December 2, Christchurch; December 7. Napier, at 7.30 p.m., the sale being continued the following day: December 11, Wellington; December 16, 'i’imaru; 'December 19, Dunedin. January 7, Christchurch; January 12, Wanganui; January 16, Napier, at 7.30 p.m.. the sale continuing on Monday, January 18; January 22, Wellington; January 28, Dunedin. February 2, Invercargill; February 5, Timaru ; February 11, Christchurch; February' 16. Wanganui; February IS, Auckland; February 24, Napier; February 27, Wellington.

Mtireb 4, Christchurch; March 10, Dunedin; March 12, Invercargill; March 19. Napier; March 22, Wanganui; March 24, Auckland; March 27, Wellington. A further round oi sales will be arranged if sufficient wool is available.

. FROZEN MEAT. LAMB MARKET WEAK. Dalgety anil Coy.. Ltd., report having received the following cablegram from their London bouse under date of the 17th inst. Laml): New Zealand prime crossbred lamb, Canterbury heavy, 9Jd, light llild; North Island heavy 9}d, light lljjd. Demand for Now Zealand lamb runs principally on light-weights; market weak. Mutton: New Zealand prime crossbred mutton, Canterbury heavy Old, light 73d; North Island heavy Old, light 71 cl. Moderate demand for New Zealand mutton ; market weaker. Beef: New Zealand prime ox beef, hinds 5.1(1, lores ,‘id. Demand for New Zealand beef poor owing to warm weather; prices nominal. Pork: Nominal value on spot BJd per lb, c.i.f. 8d to a- id- ‘ SHIPMENTS OF MEAT FROM SOUTH AMERICA. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board has received a cable from its representative at Buenos Aires, South America, advising the following shipments to jthe United Kingdom for the fortnight ended 9th July, 1925, from Argentine and Uruguay:—l23,6oo quarters of chilled heel ; 10,273 quarters of frozen beef; 41,303 carcases, of frozen mutton; 60,396 carcases of frozen lamb. The quantity shipped to the Continent of Europe during the same period totalled: 104,250 quarters of frozen beef; 5722 carcases of frozen mutton.