PROMISE OF THE NORTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21470, 19 April 1933, Page 10

PROMISE OF THE NORTH

So long was North Auckland despised as a farming area and neglected by a succession of Governments, that the idea still prevails there that the ignorance persists. Thus there will be particular gratification throughout this wonderful territory at the utterances yesterday of the Minister of Lands, who is most impressed with its possibilities for the development of the small farm scheme and of the Minister of Education, who, on his first trip beyond the city of Auckland, finds it a revelation. No district of the Dominion possesses the potentialities of North Auckland, "patchy" though it may be in the opinion of those who are not aware of the response that even the worst of its land makes to intelligent treatment. It may not be realised that the peninsula carries more dairy cattle than Taranaki, and that with development it may easily head the dairy returns of New Zealand. Its climate is an asset of incalculable value, which vastly widens its scope for small farm expansion. Already it has been shown that small holders who have been settled toward the Dargaville coast may supply potatoes to the earliest market. With enterprise of this order there is no area of the north that does not offer special prospects in one direction or another. Energy and organisation are required. Some critics, whose personal knowledge is by no means fresh, may be ready to assert that the climate deprives men of energy, but they do not know the north'"to-day. The transition period from the timber and gum industries 1 to agriculture is over. The problem of access has been solved to a great extent and the northern farmer of to-day is just as keen, hardworking and enterprising as the farmer of the south. And in addition to the advantages of soil and climate there is another in the cheerful spirit of this bright land. Nowhere is the depression faced with more resolute courage and confidence. A great stimulus this to the newcomer who may have dwelt too long on the gloomy side of things. Mr. Ransom could not do better than concentrate his attention upon peopling the wide spaces of the north with selected unemployed.