LAND DETERIORATION IN HUNTERVILLE AREA CAUSING CONCERN

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 October 1947, Page 8

LAND DETERIORATION IN HUNTERVILLE AREA CAUSING CONCERN

(S.R.) Marton, Sept. 30.

Concern because certain land in the Hunte-rville district was deteriorating in spite of the efforts of good, practical fanners, was expressed by Mr. J. L. Lambert (Hunterville) when the question of obtaining evidence f r om hillcountry settlei’s for submission to the Sheep Industry Commission was being discussed at a meeting in Marton today of the Wellington Central Provincial Executive of Federated Farmers. He quoted cases where men who had farmed land in this district for many years were being forced oft their properties because costs, compared with returns, were beyond their resources.

Dominion headquarters of Federated Farmers advised by circular that the commission was prepared to hear evidence from selected farmers who 'could produce facts and figures of individual problems in hill country and elsewhere.

Mr. Lambert, who is a member of the North Island Hill-country Committee, said few farmers kept books, records and balance-sheets going back over a long period, but it was essential that certain undeniable facts be placed before the commission. The Hunterville district had some ’ badly deteriorated land and he proposed calling a meeting to ascertain what evidence could be placed before the commission, and he hoped farmers from Mangaweka, Taihape and elsewhere would attend, Mr. Lambert added.

"We have men who are very keen to see something done, and we shall know whether they are prepared to give evidence when this meeting is held in Hunterville,” said Mr Lambert.

The position in the district was serious. One man, a good farmer, had been on his property for 40 years, but. he admitted that scrub would drive him out because expenses were soaring so high that they could not be met. Another property conveniently readied from the main road, with a good dwelling, supplied with electricity, had been sold for £1 per acre. “If noxious weeds get on to these properties in the hill country and gain a stronghold they will not stay there, out will infest the better-class land," Mr. Lambert added. “If members of the commission visit the Hunterville district I shall ceriainly show them something.” In reply to a question, Mr. Lambert said that properties had deteriorated mainly because of a lack of finance and labour.

“This is the most important commission that has ever been set up in this country because it will affect New Zealand’s economy for the next 25 years,” said Mr J. R. L. Hammond (Rata). “The majority of the land in the Dominion is in the category referred to by Mr. Lambert. The people oi New Zealand are not aware that this deterioration is going on, but we have this unique opportunity of placing these facts before the Government of the day.”

The executive agreed, to the meet ing being held as suggested by Mr Lambert and the dale fixed was October 22.