OPENING UP THE LAND.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12016, 19 March 1920, Page 4

OPENING UP THE LAND.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER. The Minister for Lands, the Hon.. D. H. Gnthrie, wrfs recently entertained by King Country local bodies at Te Kmti. and in the course of a reply to the toast of his health said that when he accepted the portfolio of Lands he did so with a good deal of timidity, as he realised that witfc the termination of the war the position would be one of enormous responsibility. ’Once having accepted the position, however, he felt that it was hia duty to visit all parts of New Zealand so as to familiarise himself with the particulars and special characteristics of each district. Unless he did this he was firmly convinced that he coaid not hope to discharge his dairies properir. In fact, the responsibilities of the Department were never greater than at the present time, and that was the reason why he was anxious to do his utmost to qualify himself in all respects. There were fonr problems that stood out with special prominence for the Department to deal with. The first problem was to bring as much of the dndeveloped land as possible into a state of productivity. This was of primary importance. The second problem was bow todeal with the waste lands. Comparatively speaking, there was a very small proportion of undeveloped land, that he would designate waste land, but still it was a matter that wonld need a lot of careful consideration.

The third problem was the hundreds of thousands of acres of dry lands that had yet to be dealt with ■o as to bring them into profit. The fourth and last problem concerned the vast areas which he regarded as a wonderfully rich asset tor the future. In fact, very few people realised the enormous possibilities of these areas.