GUM LANDS.

Northern Advocate, 9 March 1920, Page 3

GUM LANDS.

PROPOSALS FOE USE

WHAT THE MINISTER SUGGESTS.

In the course of a speech at. the Albany Fruitgrowers , Show on Saturday last, the Minister for Lands,, Hon. D. H. Guthrie, referred to Government proposals for the development *of gum lands. He said that oae only had to note what had already been done by iho settlers on gum lands to realise what prospects there were for the development of these lands on the best hues. Ho had paid three visits to the North for the purpose of inspecting the gum areas, and on each occasion had become more convinced of the possibility of bringing these areas into profitable production. Ke did not consider the gum lands were suitable for settlement by poor men unless special provision were made for Ihem by the Goverameat. With this object he had got a bill through Parliament last session, and had £1,000,000 placed on the Estimates for the development of the gum lands. His intention was to apply the homestead system of settlement to the given areas. Advances would be made to settlers for breaking in the land ar.d erecting buildings, and at the end of seven years the sections would be transferred to the holders weighted only with the money that had been expended in developing them.

In respect to national endowment lands in the gum areas, Mr Guthrie said ho intended to introduce legislation in Parliament next session with a view to extending to the endowment lands the privileges of the homestead system. He had inspected a block of endowment land at Albany, and intended to take early action to have it developed. If possible he would have it treated in the same manner as the Birdwood Estate, near Swanson, on which a considcrrblo expenditure of Government money was being made. He had recently visited Birdwood, and was thoroughly (-iitisfied with the work that was being accomplished.

The term "waste lands" that had been applied to tho gum areas was a irnsnonieVt Those proas merely required developing to become a highly valuable national asset, and it was the function of tho Govornmont to see that they were brought to n propor pitch of production.