POSITION SERIOUS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20106, 27 March 1928, Page 8

POSITION SERIOUS

TALES OF HARDSHIP. A VAST TERRITORY. At the outset Mr Burnett stressed the point that while the position was serious and a great deal had been done to assist the settiers, there was still much Jhat could be achieved in the direction of re-establishing prosperity. ‘• L wish to express by admiration of the splendid spirit exhibited by the settlers throughout the blocks in question during a serious and difficult period,” said Air Burnett. “While it is true that a number have had to vacate their holdings, many hundreds are grappling, and are prepared to continue to grapple with the position. “The deterioration is spread over a very extensive area of country. The particular areas administered by the Board involve all the territory from south and east of Raetihi to north and west of the Ohura, and the particular blocks inspected by the Board involve all the territory from Raetihi on the South to the Wanganui River on the West, and the Alain Trunk Line on the North and East —an area of some 50,000 acres. The Government (through the Land Board) are doing all that it is possible under the existing legislation to assist the settlers and the reports of the Deteriorated Land Commission are now receiving the attention of the Board and the Government. In many hundreds of instances it is difficult to know what is the best course to take in order to give assistance along practical lines. In many cases experienced settlers have failed to bring seriously deteriorated areas back to their former productive condition. I.mention this phase in order that the seriousness of the position may be better understood. Improved Conditions. “The present season, however, has certainly been more favourable than those experienced in previous years. It is also obvious that a large area of the country was felled too hurriedly and without regard for closer subdivision and heavier and closer stocking, which was essential, but where settlers can obtain financial assistance this position is largely bu | g rectified. “Undoubtedly in many cases the wrong mixture of grasses was used ami this phase is also being closely watched by the settlers and is an aspect that has received the serious attention of the Commissioner and his Departmental officers.

“The Board met a large number of settlers at Kaiteikei and discussed this and kindred questions, with, 1 think, advantage to all concerned. Another important phase of the question is the stocking of the blocks with the right classes of stock. Many settlers have given this aspect, attention, but owing to limited finance and experience many have been unable to cope with the position, with the result that, holdings that could be greatly improved in this connection have been seriously affected. This question involves the. present system of buying and selling stock in the blocks. The settlers in many instances, owing to isolation, are temporarily out of touch with the markets and some better system is required to see that suitable stock is procured at the proper season-? at fair market rates. The same inquiry should also be made in regard to the disposal of the surplus stock sold by the settlers.

“I was,” said Air Burnett, “a pioneer of the Rctaruke Block in the early days, and I can speak authoritatively of the enormous amount of capital and labour expended by the settlers over a period of 25 years. The men and women who have gone into this country and given the best years of their lives and expended their last shilling, deserve all the assistance the State can give them along practical lines. It is a national matter. A Slave to His Holding. “One settler at the meeting said, ‘Well, Air Commissioner, I have been 25 years isolated in this country but I am still willing to do my best to save my home if you will assist me and have confidence in me.’ Another settler and his wife ext ended their hospitality to Air Daniels (the Wairarapa representative) and to me. Despite the fact that they had had to provide for ]8 children they were still willing to grapple with their section. Six of this estimable family had secured positions and were giving real help to their parents. The hospitality we received at. their home was only an instance of the manner in which the Board were received and welcomed

throughout the tour. “I would also like to mention that this man’s farm and homestead was an example of what can be done by an industrious. and determined family. “The Board were generally struck by the very permanent nature of the buildings and fences. On one farm in particular the fences and gates would have provided an object lesson to men occupying freehold farm areas in more favoured districts. “I feel confident,” said Air Burnett, “that a great deal can be done to bring these areas back to a reasonable state of productivity so long as the state is willing to encourage the settlers, and so long as the settlers are prepared to face their problems the state are, I respectfully submit, bound to continue to assist them. Sympathetic Government. “I want to express very personal appreciation of the manner in which the Commissioner and the Board have met the many applications for assistance.” said Air Burnett. “The Commissioner has always been most sympathetic and I can say that in Mr Mclntosh I feel the back-block Crown tenants have a good friend. “It must be recognised that the whole problem presents many difficulties and apart from the financial aspect it is often difficult to know exactly what is best to be done to give practical assistance. When it is remembered that the Board’s district extends from the East Coast Wairarapa to the Ohura and along the Patea River, to jthe sea it will be recognised that the Board have a large family spread over the intervening territory.

“The, fact remains that the steady evacuation —if not prevented—of some 50,000 to 100,000 acres of deteriorating land on the coast and southern Waikato has become a. National question. The areas concerned not only involve a large annual production but maintain a large population of our best sellers and their families. Too much cannot be done to assist them as quickly as possible, and, in fact, in many cases ‘time is the, essence of the contract’.

“Personally I would like to see special legislative action put through Parliament, next Session giving Land Boards a greater authority to deal with these deteriorated areas and thus be able to deal immediately with all cases on their respective merits. Work of the Commisson. “I do not wish in any way to detract from what has, or is being done by the Deteriorated Lands Commission, but the assistance given does not go far enough in many cases. The Commissioner and his Departmental officers have, gone as far as they can and as far as legislation and circumstances permit, but the position is that hundreds of settlers are handicapped today for farm materials and stock and owing to limited means are unable to deal effectively with their holdings. Some scheme must be devised to assist such cases as quickly as posible. In this connection the officers of the Fields Division afe limited in their work and and it would be to the advantage of all concerned if their power could be reasonably extended to deal with cases as they come directly under their notice. “The live stock aspect of the question could also be profitably systemised to the, advantage of both the settler and the Crown and although this would involve further organisation necessitating additional staff, I feel sure that the result would amply justify the expenditure for a few years. “Another question that merits discussion is that of freights. I hold the view that all supplies to these deteriorated areas should be permitted free on the state railways for say live years. At the present time these settlers are quite sufficiently taxed by high motor lorry freights. When it is considered that it costs settlers more in freight to get the manure to their sections than actual manure costs at the works, the position will be better usderstood. “Stick It Out.” “I would like,” said Air Burnett in conclusion, “to appeal to the settlers to continue to ‘stick it out’ and do the best to grapple with their problems. I feel sure that there, are better times ahead and that the legislature will this session deal more effectively with the reports of the Deteriorated Lands Commission. The conditions and the good prices that have been obtained for produce this season will also be an incentive to ‘hold on.’ Private, mortgagees should withold interest dedmands in these blocks and so keep the settlers concerned on their holdings. To take stock off the holdings under the present conditions would spell disaster to all concerned.”