Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Third of a Century.] TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1906. POPULATION WANTED.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXX, Issue 8450, 15 May 1906, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Third of a Century.] TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1906. POPULATION WANTED.

We are afraid that the Wairarapa territory, inclusive of the Masterton electorate, is a horrid example of a dearth of population. Taking the last census as a basis,—the returns of the present one not being yet available—we find that this large and, in some respects, progressive district only contains four people to the square mile-only the equivalent of one family to each of its square miles of good average land. The Akitio and Castlepoint Counties are in a still more deplorable condition as regards population, for they only average three people to the square mile.

Mauriceville presents a brighter picture with ten persons to the square mile, Pahiatua with twelve, and Eketahuna with no less than fourteen. In population the younger settlements have outstripped the older ones, and the latter need to be shaken up a little. The cause of the paucity of population in both the Masterton and Wairarapa electorates is undoubtedly the prevalence of large holdings, and the day for large areas is past. There was a time when a man with a big run was a benefactor to the community ; but this was before tho day of the cream separator, which made it possible for a small farmer to live and thrive.

At the present time the local Liberal Association is bestirring itself to secure a subdivision of some of our large holdings, and we are, to some extent, in sympathy with its efforts in this direction. We should like to see a string of small farms extending from Masterton, through Weraiti and Taueru, and right into the Castle Point County. Dairying yields a better return per acre than even sheep. Therefore, it is to the interest of this district as a whole that the Shepherd King should give way to the dairyman. No one who is at all familiar with the history of this district but will concede to the Shepherd King all due praise for the great work which he accomplished in the past, as the pioneer, who opened up and brought into cultivation new country, and who paved the way for close settlement. But his glory has now departed.

The same process of change goes on automatically in our towns. A man perhaps some years ago pitched his tent upon a roomy section —a whole town acre or more. As years rolled on he found that his land was increasing in value and his rates were increasing and multiplying. At last he realised that his land was no longer "residential " in its' character, but purely " business," and he made way for the traders. The writer remembers reporting a cricket match in Masterton in a field which is now studded with handsome brick shops and stores. Changes of this kind are inevitable both in town and in country, and when the time is ripe for them it is unwise to resist them.

We are by no means enamoured of the Land for Settlement Act, for have we not seen a pioneer settler dispossessed of his estate at a price less than its actual value to himself; and we would much prefer

to see large holders voluntarily sub-dividing properties for close settlement, and thus meeting tho many demands which exist for small farms. Sooner or later sub-division must come, and the present time is in many respects opportune for cutting up large estates. The land hunger exists, and the large holder is in a better position than even the Government to satisfy it, because he can concede a freehold title, whereas the Government is handicapped with only a leasehold right. The present census may show that there are more people to the square mile in this electorate than its predecessor; but the increase will not be very marked, -and the need of a larger country population must appeal to all who have at heart the welfare of this great district.