TOLAGO BAY AFFAIRS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13331, 21 March 1911, Page 5

TOLAGO BAY AFFAIRS.

DEPUTATION TO HON. R. MCKENZIE. (Per United Press Association.) GISBORNE, March 21, A deputation of about 50 settlers ns the Hon. It. McKenzie at Tolago Bay 1m night, and district requirements wei brought under his notice. As to Tolag Bay bridge, the Minister said the Ooveri ment subsidy should have been obtain* before its erection, but as the work ha been completed the Auditor-General won! not now pass the item. If a subsidy wei granted the rating area should be extent cd, bringing Waiapu and Gisborne in necessary. In regard to land for settl incut, a great demand existed tbrougboi the country. The difficulty was tin where the Government signified their ii tention of acquiring land compulsorily tb owners raised the price to such an extol that the Government could not let it t settlers at a reasonable rental. The Goi eminent, therefore, had to pay throng the nose for every acre thus acquired. H advised them to take advantage of th Land Settlement Finance Act. The Goven ment were taking estates wherever the could find them at a reasonable price. Mr Mac Donald, M.P., referring to tb Land Settlement Finance Act, said that n measure which had ever been put on th Statute Book would give a man of sma! means a better chance to get on the land The party proceeded to Komaru to-daj A meeting of settlers at Tolago Bay urj cd that the Harbour Board in again leai ing Tfinwharoparai Block, should cut j up, into small holdings instead of only si sections; also, to prevent aggregation. Mr Mac Donald said he would try to go a special meeting of the Board to conside the subject.