SOUTH ISLAND DETERIORATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16542, 28 September 1921, Page 10

SOUTH ISLAND DETERIORATION.

WHAT IS THE TROUBLE? [From Our Conansponden’t.3 WELLINGTON, September 27. “ We are all concerned about the loss of productive power and population in the South Island, and the spring to the North,” remarked Mr Burnett, member for Tomuka, in seconding the Address-in-lieply in the Hems© to-night. “ What is the explanation?” he asked, and went on to answer his own question. The one explanation, he said, was the bad leasing conditions under which the greater proportion of territory in the South island is held. Fortunately for the North Island it had had the foresight and political wisdom to insist on its lends being held under a better tenure. In the of the North Island there were only 227,000 acres held under the scandalous te*nure of twenty-one years without ri&ht of renewal, but in tho South Island there is the huge area of ten million acres, over which lessees had not the common right to maintain their own homes at the end of the lease. He put this state of affairs down largely to th© great amount of suspicion with which past- administrators had viewed high country 7 sheep men, regarding them as lineal descendants of “ squatocracy.” There was no greater fallacy, because 90 per cent or these men had reached their position by hard work, applied knowledge sand foresight. Burning, overstocking and the rabbit plague had reduced the carrying capacity by between 25 and 33 per cent. The only was giving the holders suoh security of tenure as would encourage them to exercise their skill and judgment. They would be given heart to improve their high country. Tho Minister of Agriculture was giving assistance by providing large quantities or rabbit-proof fencing. He was glad that the Minister of Lands had promised amending legislation this session. It was long overdue. Tho high pastoral country was of the finest character, but owizm to want of statesmanship in its handling it had greatly deteriorated. There was one county which had gone back during forty years , to tho extent of 200,000 sheep in carrying capacity. Ho believed the best I way to restore the country was to destroy rabbits, lighten stock and thus ! enable the natural grasses to come on j onoo more.