LAND SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4882, 6 February 1903, Page 2

LAND SETTLEMENT.

OPERATION OF THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. SOME IMPRESSIONS FROM -HAVRE'S RAY. Critics of the Government's land settlement policy arc fond of declaring that but a shred of the vigorous McKenzie administration remains; that practically the policy inaugurated by the late Minister is noiv inoperative; that, in fact, no land settlement is going on in a country that yawns for occupation.

These deductions are only made by these who stay at home, who do not come into contact, with the real development that is taking place in the interior. The work of “' clawing up the land,” as Ki pling aptly put it, when viewing tho earlier settlements along the 'Wollington-Hawko’s Ray line years ago, is proceeding now with as much vigour as it ever did before. Hawke’s Bay, for instance, has been termed by Liberal politicians as the “ hot-bod of squatteruom.” Tho politicians wore doubtless justified in tbeir remarks, but the '“breaking-up” process has been going on gradually, and parts of Hawke’s Ray now form an admirable example of what can bo accomplished by a Liberal policy. People who once denounced the compulsory clauses of tho McKenzie Act now acclaim it, after experiencing some measure of its effective administration. Public opinion has changed, though tho change, only came slowly, and when the difference had boon marked of what was really meant by stagnation and progression.

Close settlement hroxight the pority of t-lio West Coast and Taranaki up by leaps and bounds. Large arcaa hold by few people in Hawke’s Lay presented just the reverse of the picture. “ The land here is not suitable for dairying,” they said. The last five years have proved that it was only the old idea implanted in them from the early days of colonisation which clung to the old occupiers—that sheep paid hotter than, cattle. When they tried cattle on small areas; when cheques came in monthly from the dairy factories; and when the storekeepers gavcj casli where formerly butter was exchanged for commodities —then a more liberal opinion was formed of the beneficent effects of close settlement. The largo land-owners are not now so conservative as they used to ho in days gone by. The Liberal policy has had much to do in bringing about a change: of feeling. Wo find _ them willing to provide cattlo to desirable settlers to farm tho land on the co-operative basis. Tho lesson of Taranaki is being taken to heart. Hawke’s Bay is becoming a dairying province where formerly it only exported frozen mutton. It is now agitating for the appointment of a Government grader of butter, for tno influence which Wellington merchants exert secures all the provincial butter products for export from Wellington, and gives no credit to the industry in Hawke’s Bay. But as to the direct effect of the Liberal policy in land settlement. The traveller through tho southern part of Hawke’s Bay finds that in the course of a few years a transformation lias been effected. When Lord Ranfurly some years ago opened tho Woodville-Pahia-tua section of railway, to connect the Hawke’s Bay' line directly with Wellington, thus obviating tho journey through the Manawalu Gorge, tho* aoquisitiou of estates in Hawkers f° r close settlement purposes was hut visionary. Since that time, without oalculuting tho improved farm settlements between Woodville and Dannevirke and irnTthwards, which have so contributed to tho prosperity of Dannevirke, tho most thriving inland town in the two islands, the Government has placed settiers on Elsthorpe, Raureka, Tomoana, Mahora, Hatuma, Kumoroa, Forest Gate and Mangatora—all former sheep runs. In addition, Milbourne and part of Mount Vcrnoin estate, near Wai-

pukurau, have also been acquired. Surely hero is evidence in one province alone of a progressive land policy. Hatuma, onCe the property of an ah-' sentoe landlord, is occasionally quoted as an expensive State purchase. _ But those who know Hatuma as it is now admit that it was well worth acquiring. It carries many small homesteads where before there was but one. True, the settlers have been granted a year’s remission of rent, hut that was due to l a had season. When that land was first taken up Hawke’s Bay had just gone through the driest season it had experienced for years, and feed for stock was ruined. The writer saw Hatuma when it carried in the way of population a manager and two shepherds. He saw it again the other day under the operas tions of close settlement, with fifty-nine families farming 35,159 acres. The change that had been wrought was remarkable. Hatuma, in spite of adverse criticism levelled at tho Government, will prove a good bargain to the State. It must he recollected that those taking up land in tho Hawke’s Bay district are considerably handicapped; that, is, those within tho harbour rating area, for interest has to ho provided for a breakwater loan of £500,000. This is wliat the Hatuma settlers found materially affected' them, together with county rates, in making a fair start. At Mahora and Tornoana, too, there are heavy river rates imposed. In one instance tho taxes claimed for the year are £6 3s, whilst the Government rental is only £6 2s in another, the occupier’s rental is £46 5s Cd, and ho is asked to pay £ls 7 s in rates; a third pays £5 11s rates besides his rent of £6 2s. Thus, in some cases there is practically a double rental. The Hand Board has granted the Mahora and Tomoana settiers- a remission of rent, but this fact does not for a moment indicate that* the settlements are not a success. It shows, however, .some of tho difficulties which have to ho surmounted by small settlers in districts where a multiplicity of local bodies, especially River Boards, can impose whatever taxation they like.

Mali ora, of 1094 acres which formed part of flie Frimley estate, was a voluntary sale to the Government. The visitor who drives along the Greenmcadows flats through Taradalo and Omaha will note with satisfaction the progress of settlement at Mahora. This was formerly in the occupation of sheep. Now the numerous cottages dotted ah cut here and there hear evidence of the industry and energy on the part of those who have taken the opportunity of securing a slice of land for themselves. Haiireka also once a portion of Frimley, although only comprising 41Q acres, now carries nineteen families. None were there before. Tomoana. another section of Frimley, is occupied hy thirteen tenants. On Kumeroa there are twelve families. Forest Gate carries twenty-nine tenants and. Mangatoro twenty-four. AH these settlements are being rapidly developed. Dairying is proceeding apaoo throughout the country. and the work already done hy the occupiers show that they' are the right stamp of settlers needed to develop the boundless rpcouregs nf .the eolnnv.

Six years ago, Mr Soddon, speaking from a Napier platform, and returning thanks for the return of a candidate pledged to the Liberal policy, declared that tho Government on its part would not bo unmindful of tho wishes of the* people in regard to tho laud question. So far as Hawke’s Bay is concerned 1 t nvust bo admitted oven by the .strongest opponent of the Government, that the Premier's promise has been well kept.

Much, however, remains yet to bo done to bring tho rich land in that pariioulnr province into profitable cullivafion. The Government, is still at work. Tho acquisition of Milbourne and Mount Vernon proves that. But to use familiar phrase nf the Premier’s, tboro must be no “going back,” With a. vigorous, land setllemelit policy there is a grand future before Hawke’s Bay.