RURAL RESOURCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20619, 18 July 1930, Page 13

RURAL RESOURCES.

PUTARURU AND TOKOROA. SCHEME OF CO-ORDINATION. REQUESTS TO MINISTERS. fnv TKLEGRAI'ir. —Sl'Krr.VL ItEl'OriTEß. ] WHLLIi\GTON, Thunutny. Several problems affecting 1 lie Putaruru and Tokoroa districts wore placed before the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands, the Hon. W. A. Veitch, Minister nf Railways, and the Hon. A. J. Murdoch, 'Minister of Agriculture, to day Ijv a deputation representing the Matamata County Council, the Taupe Totara Timber Company, the Putaruru Town Hoard, the Putaruru Charnhcr of Commerce an'd the Tokoroa Progress League. Tho subjects on which representations were made comprised (1) transport facilities for the area between Putaruru and Tokoroa; (2) the renewal of the agreement between the settlers, tho Government and the Tanpo Totara'Timber Company regarding the carriage of manures; (3) a re quest for the extension of loans from State lending departments to settlers in tho Tokoroa district, about which it was said a "black ring" had beon drawn; (4) a request for an early decision ir, regard to the disposition of the Railways Department timber in the district. Members of the deputation said it was a simple business proposition that the improvement of transport and tho financial conditions of the area should be investigated. Tn short, the rationalisation of the resources in the district was asked for. Originally, what was now tho Matamata estate was condemned, but owing to tho foresight of a Liberal Minister of Lands 26 years ago that land had been developed, and to-day, within half a mile of the Matamata post ollice, there were four dairy factories, with a production amounting to £1,000,000. The deputation asked that under the regional planning scheme of tho Government an investigation should be mada with a view to co-ordinating tho whole resources of tho district and so ensure permanency for the private railway line in order that cheap manures could be provided for the settlers. The private bush country served by tho lino would be cut out in about 15 years' time. It was requested also that the Government should continue for a period its subsidy on the transport of manures. Replying, Mr. Ransom said he thought he could give an assurance that nn investigation would be made and that the Government would bo prepared to assist to whatever extent it could. Scientific research was proceeding apace in NewZealand and from the reports he had received it appeared that tho Dominion was on the verge of a discovery that would enable problems in that area to bo overcome more easily than had been previously thought possible. Mr. Murdoch said he would consider the point raised regarding the subsidy on fertilisers. Mr. Veitch said ho had already up his mind on the attitude the department would take regarding the area of bush in tho locality, but that_ could be included in tho announcement of the Government's decision on all tho points raised. .As tho House was on the point of sitting, tho deputation was promised a written reply.