THE LAND PROBLEM.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 38, 18 February 1929, Page 4

THE LAND PROBLEM.

IN REPLY to a Damievirke deputation who urged him to promote jcloser settlement in that; distrust, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands, clearly showed that his view of the case is not the frequently asserted one, that there is not enough land in the Dominion available tor those who want to occupy and use it. He says (there are not enough people for all the ifeid that could be made available. He can see great possibilities in large empty spaces in the North Island, which can be rendered immensely productive by proper cultivation. Mr Forbes wants to see large tracts of sheep land which are suitable for dairy farming cut up and used for the latter purpose, and he made it clear that if the owners of such holdings are unwilling to accept fair offers for them the compulsory clauses of the Act will be brought info operation. He prefers to try the usually accepted methods of bargaining first, and in this most people will agree with him. The Minister and his colleagues realise that the holding of great tracts of land suitable for cdoser setlement is a serious bar to the Dominion’s progress, and he has shown that it is his intention to deal with the problem. That is what is wanted. THE PATEA RIVER. A CORRESPONDENT in a letter to the Posit; on Saturday made an appeal for the Patea River, which is, apparently, regarded more as a receptacle for tins and rubbish than as a beauty spot. Many do not fully appreciate the beauty of the stream which flows through Stratford, but it requires very little thought to recognise that it offers unlimited possibilities. The trouble is that many of its most attractive reaches are somewhat difficult of access, and there is room for something to be done in this direction. The members of the Stratford Horticultural Society are doing splendid work, in regard to increasing tli e attractiveness of parts of our reserves, and perhaps the Patea will be included in their activities.