SWAMP LANDS.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15908, 21 August 1923, Page 5

SWAMP LANDS.

HAURAKI PLAINS EXAMPLE. The example of the good work' done by the Government in draining the Hauraki Plains was made use of by Mr. T. W. Rhodes in his recent speech in the House He noted that with regard to swamp reclamation there is an indication that the Government are disposed to go on vigorously reclaiming the swamp lands of the Dominion and said the time had arrived when there is no excuse for dilatoriness in the matter We have got an object lesson in. more than one part of the Dominion, particularly on the Hauraki Plains, where an appreciable area has been drained' and made highly productive and although held in somewhat large holdings subdivision will come about as a matter of fact is being carried on every day —and enormous good will result. In last year’s report of operations on the Hauraki Plains, we had an intimation that 2,i600 acres of reclaimed swamp land was ready for occupation, and I want to know when the Government are going to offer that land to the people of New Zealand for selection, as it would be readily taken up. It is among the finest dairying country in the world —climate good, land good—and any man who cannot do well for” himself there is not particularly energetic, unless it happens to be a season when weather conditions are adverse and no one can. guard against that. IMMIGRATION. If we can induce men of means and of expertence in farm work to come out and assist us to break in the country and make it more productive and hel)} us in bearing the burden of .the taxation, only .good can result. The Imperial authorities are going to assist financially in bringing them out, and it will be for their own good, as well as for the of this eonutry. We have had complaints that immigrants who are •brought out swell the unemployed in the towns; that is true to a limited extent, but it is only half the truth. The people nominated as immigrants outside _the Imperial scheme must have someone here who undertakes to find them employment and house them when they arrive. I know quite a lot people who have come out under these conditions and are now living with friends and well contented with their lot. Some of them left their families at 'Home and are exerting themselves now to get them out, which proves that they are well satisfied. We want more population, and still more population. •New Zealand, instead of supporting. 1,250,000 people could easily support 10,000,000 and the sooner we bring about that result the better.