SECOND-CLASS LAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1932, Page 6

SECOND-CLASS LAND.

The report made to Parliament last week by the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, in regard to the improvement of “second-class” country for closer settlement purposes was dis- 1 tinctly encouraging. The time has passed since dairying on even first-class quality land could be conducted without the application of fertilisers and with a happy-go-lucky system of pasture management. With that management improved, and the adequate use of fertilisers, it is evident that much land at one time unsuitable for the purpose can be made into profitable dairy farms, though it is probable that the annual requirement of fertilisers will always be heavier than

those on better quality land. Against this can be placed the smaller capital cost of the lighter land as well as the fact that the area of first-class land available for closer settlement is diminishing every year. Mr. Ransom gave encouraging reports of the progress made on the Galatea property, recently acquired by the State, and on the “pumice lands near Rotorua. The fact that experiments and improvements are being carried out before the lands in question ai‘e thrown open for selection is an indication that the land settlement system is being brought up-to-date. At one time the settlers had all the pioneering to do for themselves, and the results were a remarkable tribute to thdir grit and hard work. At the same time, many a settler’s efforts were wasted and much country “cleared” which would have been better left in forest. To-day it is recognised that the “breaking-in” of lands must be a community effort, especially if land other than first-class is to be brought into profitable occupation, and that it will obviate waste if this community effort is made before instead of after closer settlement has begun.