FARMING IN NORTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21470, 19 April 1933, Page 12

FARMING IN NORTH

SCOPE FOR DEVELOPMENT ministers impressed REQUESTS BY SETTLERS ASSISTING UNEMPLOYED ruv TEIjKGKAPH —SPKCIAI/ RKI'OKTKU] KAITAIA, Tuesday A great deal of territory was covered to-da.v by the Minister of Lands, Hon. 1*;. A. Hansom, and the Minister of (education, Hon. It. Masters. They left Russell this morning and were joined near Kerikeri by Mr. H. M. Rushworth, M.P. for Bay of Islands, who will accompany the party through his electorate. The party visited the Kenkeri settlement and inspected the citrus and passion fruit plantations. The difficulties of Crown tenants and others in the district were explained at Kerikeri township by a deputation from the Hay of Islands Ratepayers' Association. Derating was strongly urged and it was stated that only a small minority of the settlers was paving, and even these found they had only a small equity in the land. Soon, it was contended, none would be able to pay. The position of many was that they could not buy fertilisers and pay rates. They were compelled to have fertilisers to keep the land in production. As in other places, it was suggested that the petrol tax should be used to relieve settlers of rates. One man caused some amusement by casually mentioning, after making a plea for assistance, that he had recently returned from a trip to Australia. Benefits from Better Roads Mr. Ransom reminded the speakers that the majority of the cars on the road were used by dealers, stock agents and many others who had business with the farmers, so that eventually the tax would be borne largely by the lanu. It had been shown to him that the development of the North he had seen was by reason of the improvement of the roads. Those who lived in the city thought the farmers were a favoured class. A Settler: Well, they are wrong. Mr. Ransom: 1 don't agree with you. Give ine the country every time. Another member of the deputation agreed that they were in a better posi- i tion than many in the cities. Mr. W. H. Lane, chairman of the ; Whangarei County Council, suggested that the Government should take tli3 Omahuta forest land, which, with an adjoining block, making 3000 acres, would be eminently suitable on which to settle 15 men with very little expense and tho certainty of making good. One difficulty raised by the department was that the timber would have to be worked off, but the timber was practically useless for commercial purposes. There were many suitable men among the unemployed in the district who could not live on relief pay, but if this money were used as sustenance while thev prepared this land, they would establish themselves. Prospects of the North Special legislation was asked for to enable tho county to spread tho special rate on the Omanu Riding over the county. Settlers of the riding had rated themselves heavily to put in an access road. Other ridings had received benefits by getting roads built with relief labour, and he thought all should bear this special rate. The Minister was asked to assist in getting a direct road to Moerewa. It was stated to be essential that settlors should lie able to drive stock over the shortest possible route. The connection suggested was Hulls Road in tho Bay of Islands County, which would save a distance of from 15 to 20 miles. Mr. Ransom said he would inquire about the Omahuta Forest. He regarded the prospects of North Auckland as more hopeful for the future than those of any other part of New Zealand. He was watching every possible opportunity to get unemployed on small farms The north lent itself peculiarly to this scheme, with its climate and longer seaton,. and the fact that it would grow so many things. Tho North had undoubted advantages. The Minister thought that men who had rated themselves to open up country should be assisted and he would discuss with the Government the proposal for special legislation. The question of amalgamation had been mentioned, and the Minister announced that tho position was being considered. He thought it likely that a special tribunal would be set up to go into the question. Tribute by Mr. Masters At Mangonui, both Ministers wero welcomed at a large meeting of settlers. I Mr. Ransom said he recognised the j possibilities of intensive farming in the | North and he would be more than satisj fied if he could leave his mark in bringj ing idle lands to production. This | would give, him more satisfaction than | in buying estates, although that had i its advantages in putting more peoplo j on the land. He was greatly impressed | with the courageous way in which tho | settlers were tackling their problems, j Mr. Masters, who is on his first visit i beyond Auckland, said that the possij bilities of tho North were a revelation to hi in and he ■ was convinced that ' there would be greater development in [ future. He had also been impressed ! with the keen interest the people were j taking in the education of the chil- ! dren,*"both European and native. Only that day he had met a native who ! offered the timber for a school and ! residence and a site of five acres, so j that a school could be established. I People like that deserved every coni sideration. Proposals at Mangonui j At this meeting a number of schemes were suggested for employing and absorbing unemployed. One of these was reclamation and tjie rebuilding of the existing wharf at Mangonui. A request was made that the Marine Department should subsidise the work on the pound for pound basis up to £2500. Another proposal was the straightening of the road between Mangonui and the dairy factory at Oruru, which would shorten the distance by 81 chains and make work for single men. Mr. Ransom was also asked to consider measures for restoring the gum industry and the possibility of establishing a factory tor tho manufactuio of varnishes. Mr. Ransom said the class of work • for unemployed was largely in the hands of local committees. He would convey to the department the representations concerning the wharf and reclamation. The proposal to straighten the road did not appeal to him so much. He rather favoured spending monev on giving access to settlers who needed it. The export of gum should be encouraged, but it was open to question whether the country should establish an industry unless there was reasonable prospect of success in competition with those in Britain.