The Daily News TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1925. DETERIORATED LANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1925, Page 6

The Daily News TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1925. DETERIORATED LANDS.

The report of the Commission appointed to inquire into and suggest remedies for the deterioration of hilly country, as presented to the House last week, is much upon the lines that might have been anticipated. It is certain that the inquiry was urgently needed, and that the Commissioners have done all in their power to probe the causes and effects of the lands in question going back to second growth, while their recommendations are, on the whole, such as may prove valuable as -well as profitable. In presenting the report, the Minister for Lands (Hon. A. D. McLeod) emphasised that the slump undoubtedly played an important part in the process of deterioration. While that view will probably meet with general endorsement, the outstanding phase of the question is that a good deal of the land which formed the subject of the inquiry should not have been touched at all. One fact has been prominent throughout the investigation, that to fall the bush on these precipitous hills abolished the only cohesive factor and exposed the soil to slips of a more or less destructive character. That the bush was thick on these hillsides denoted that the top soil, at least, was of a kind to make a lusty growth of herbage, especially of the grosser species of grasses. But those who know the nature of the subsoil of this class of country are well aware that not far below the surface there are hard strata to be found which, after the bush has been cleared for a while, act as a kind of subterranean watercourse which sooner or later carries the surface land down the inclines, thus washing away the productive top soil and rendering the holding unprofitable to work. Obviously any attempt at stumping increases the disaster, but that is rarely if ever attempted, though the process of the decay of the stumps in due time eliminates the holding power of the roots and then it is only a question of time before the sections become unproductive and the process of second growth of all sorts of undesirable weeds sets in rapidly. In the case of much of this class of land there appears to be no hope of bringing it back to productivity. It can, however, be made available for afforestation, and the Government would be well advised to cut the first loss, find the holders of the land other sections or so re-divide the larger sections that areas of smaller holdings of the best of the land can be utilised by them. As to giving the settlers assistance to procure fencing material, while in some’ cases where the areas are comparatively small, the aid may be helpful, yet manifestly the benefit is not likely to tempt settlers to continue on their sections. Far more important is the roading proposal, as to which the Minister admits that the cost will be high, so that it may be expected that the settlers would sooner go out on being paid half the cost of the roading than battle on with a task that would break the hearts of the stoutest workers. In face of the Minister’s view that, although it is the policy of the Government to keep these settlers on the land, it would be better for them to abandon their holdings and obtain a better type of land, the question at once 'arises as to whether the Government should not come to a speedy conclusion upon this matter and not throw good money after bad. Naturally the settlers are anxious, and it would be cruel to raise their hopes of being eventually able to make good on land which is only fit for reafforestation. While it is advocated that the aid the Government should give should consist of grants for fencing, grassing and manuring, besides roading, the matter of how far such aids would suit the tenants’ circumstances, and how much of the land could be made available for cultivation thereby will have to be very carefully examined. The main objects in view are the interests of those unfortunate landholders whom it is intended to benefit, and equally important is the need for promoting greater production. Apparently the first step is to reclassify the land so as to utilise I the portion which can profitably be cultivated —if any such portion exists —then to make new arrangements with the holders that will be satisfactory to the tenants and to the country. It is above all things necessary to avoid waste of money and fruitless energy.

TARANAKI POWER SCHEME. The Taranaki Power Board finds itself in rather a difficult position over the loan it raised for developing the Tariki power scheme and the reticulation of its district. The board was empowered by the ratepayers to borrow the sum of £350,000, of which £lOO,OOO was for head works and the generation of power and £250,000 for reticulation. As soou as work commenced, or really before the plans were approved, it seems that the Government insisted on the provision of two units instead of one, and on practically doubling the diameter of the tunnel and extending it instead of forming an open race. There was no doubt good ground for this Government insistence, as the board will have 4000 h.p. instead of 2000 h.p. it was originally decided to develop, but the cost of the works has been greatly increased thereby. Now, as a way out, the board desires relief from the obligations to allocate the loan money as set before ratepayers at the poll, and seeks authority to divert some of the money set aside for reticulation to head works. It has approached the Prime Minister on the matter, and as was to be expected, he has made it clear that before the Government can bring down a clause enabling the transfer to be made in this manner an expression of approval of the eaurse must be given. Obviously the course suggested by the board is the only sensible and reasonable thing to do. Manifestly, it would be idle to construct the transmitting lines and reticulate districts before an adequate supply of current was assured, and this would be the ease were the diversion of loan money not effected. Ratepayers would just as readily have approved of the loan providing for £150,000 for head works and £200,000 for reticulation (as jiow proposed) as they did the original scheme of £lOO,OOO for head works and £250,000 for reticulation. The Power Board is submitting the proposal to the various local bodies comprised in its area., and it is unlikely- that there will be any opposition to it. The work is so costly and important that delay in making the transference of the moneys is to be avoided, and it is to be hoped that after the Prime Minister is satisfied the proposal is approved by the representatives of the ratepayers that the enabling legislation will be put through Parliament without delay.