INFERIOR LANDS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17165, 15 October 1926, Page 6

INFERIOR LANDS

THE WAIOEKA PROBLEM LAND BOARD DISCUSSION The problem presented by the deteriorated farm lands in the Waioeka district, in the hinterland of Poverty Bay, has been the subject of enquiry by a committee appointed by the Minister of Lands, to submit proposals for the'alleviation of the troubles of the occupiers of the land. The committee has reached conclusions which were placed before the Land Board meeting yesterday, and on which recommendations were made, to the Minister. The discussion of the committee’s proposals was not taken in open board, the suggestions being of a confidential nature. Likewise, the recommendations of the Board to tho Minister remained undisclosed, though they will doubtless become public property very shortly, through an announcement on the part of the Minister. It is understood that the. recommendations will, if adopted by the Hon. A. 1). McLeod, institute fairly radical steps to place the formers of the Waioeka on a better footing. Enquiry was ma'ffi last night from the Hon. Mr. Williams, Minister of Public Works, as to what course, the Government was likely to take in regard to the relief of the occupiers of deteriorated lands. XI r. Williams said that lie did not wish to express an opinion. His colleague, the Minister of Lands, had travelled through the district, and being a practical farmer, was well able to form his conclusions upon a matter which affected his department only. He felt satisfied that the settlers could rely on the judgment of the Minister of Lands anti his sympathetic treatment of their difficulties.