The Northland Age OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE FARMERS’ UNION. Published Twice a Week. Wednesdays and Fridays. Price Twopence. FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 19-28 MOTUTANGI SWAMP DRAINAGE.

Northland Age, Volume 28, Issue 53, 22 June 1928, Page 4

The Northland Age OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE FARMERS’ UNION. Published Twice a Week. Wednesdays and Fridays. Price Twopence. FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 19-28 MOTUTANGI SWAMP DRAINAGE.

Sime lime ago, the Lands De partment arranged for thiowmg o. eu for selection, sections in the Motuiangi Swamp subdivision. At the time it was made quite clear by the Minister for Lands i that the Government would construct the main outfall drain, and that (lie settlers would have to construct the internal drainage system. It appears now, however, that the Lands Department has not carried out the promise made by the Minister, and in addition, it is shirking its responsibility, and to do so is hiding behind the wording of a poster issued at the time this Lind was offered fur selection. No more clumsy excuse was ever offered by a Government Department for its failure to deal fairly by the settlers than that conjured up in respect of the Motutangi Swamp settlement. It is said that because the main outfall drain w-as erroneously described on the poster as the “internal” drain that this absolves the Department from the obligation entered into by the Minister. If the present intention of the Department is carried out it will mean that a great number of sot h swill not o ily have to construct their own internal drainage system, but they will also have to continue the main outfall dram right through the swamp in order that the water on their holdings might be carried right away, fhe . settlers met the Countv Council- ... lurs on Tuesday and it was decided to take the matter right to the Minister with a view to tem dying the present position. An effort was made to influence them against this action on account of it not fitting in with the policy of the present member. This did not prove effective and a de, u talion is now to go to Wellington to wail upon the Minister, the members policy notwithstanding. Ti.e settlers have only to stick together and they will git what they want. They have a just claim and we do not believe for a m< ment that the M.n Ister will reluse their requist.