RUAKURA SWAMP AREA.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16654, 20 November 1925, Page 8

RUAKURA SWAMP AREA.

lII.—IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE

(By N. G. Gribble.)

We now come lo one of the most vexed aspects of the subject under discussion, viz., the matter of Government assistance. At all meetings held at which the report has been discussed emphasis has been laid by speakers on the necessity of substantial assistance being available in addition to the most favourable facilities for raising money by ioan over the land. This assistance is necessary lo enable the swamp-improving farmer to carry on so that lie may not he overwhelmed by the financial burden which he is asked to carry. That property owners whose land, even under the most favourable execution of the proposed works, cannot be contemplated as giving any direct return on the money expended for eight or ten years, can put up instalments under the system of finance generally in force among local authorities to-day is unthinkable, and therefore if we arc to have these long overdue improvements carried out some special arrangements must be devised.

Grounds for Grant. If we examine the grounds which would justify a contribution by the State towards the cost' of the work, we can see at once that the bringing into consolidation and full profit, of this large area would be an immediate and incalcuable benefit to many lying far outside the confines of any possible "special rating area.” Among these benefits arc:

(a) Tremendously increased revenue from onr national railways, in which the whole Dominion would share; (b) A better railway track and consequently less expenditure on this seelion of the permanent way; (c) Better and shorter roads between important' centres (particularly Waikato and Thames Valley). The length or the present main route would be reduced by four (o five miles; (d) Closer settlement so that contributions from the general Government and county finances would be better distributed and the burden generally reduced;

(e) A swelling of our national income hv anything from £150,000 to £250,000 per annum within a generation :

(f) Better climatic and sanitary conditions and promotion of general good health.

These, then, are some of the grounds which may he advanced in support of a claim for a contribution from sources outside the particular area to he treated.

Settlers’ Self-help. The Royal Commission would see that the settlers have taxed themselves already to carry out works of some magnitude, for, as Mr Campbell stales in his report, the “extensive drainage works carried out by drainage boards have brought about very considerable improvement and have consolidated and sweetened the country to such an extent that practically the whole area is now ready for vigorous development.” The amount which could be recommended as a Government contribution by the tribunal would lie doubtless on the merits, as seen from the evidence brought, and it would be up to the farmers to sec this was made sufficiently strong. Provision is already made by Statute under which special assistance can be given for the construction of roads and bridges in thinly-populated districts. How much better a case have the Ruakura Swamp settlers for some special treatment? In addition lo a grant towards reducing the capital cost is the desirability of some temporary assistance to enable improving farmers to have a "breathing space” before the full burden of the taxation necessary to meet instalments under the loan falls upon them in the form of special rates. Our legislation does not at present apparently contemplate this provision, but the Commission could certainly make recommendations along these lines.

Raising of Funds. Coming now to that most important matter, the securing of the necessary money to carry out the work, it would appear that we need a new principle introduced into loans for the improvement of swamp areas. These should he raised under the most favourable possible terms, so that from the initial work to the final stages of consolidation and full profit all finance required for construction purposes is assured. Taking the proposition before us at present, we know that for the first, second and third years amounts of say £'io.ooo will be required, and for subsequent years up to about the eighth say £IO,OOO per annum will be needed, but we must have the total sum available so that, in the words of the report, “the subsidence (of the swamp) might, be uniform and continuous.” This easing of the burden in the early years would be a subject for investigation and representation to the Government by the Commission. A large loan floated for the special purpose for carrying through the undertaking on the London market would probably be the best procedure.

Logal Aspect.

The more one learns of matters relating to public activities, and particularly drainage, the more apparent it becomes that before any large scheme is launched the fullest investigations should be made of the legal aspect of the proposition to be bandied, and also the legal provision for subsequent maintenance. There seems to he no doubt that the present legislative provision for administering drainage matters is quite unsuitable and badly needs overhaul. This fact adds to the necessity of having the legal foundation and superstructure thoroughly investigated by experts and, where necessary, special and definite provision made by law for any particular matters which, in the opinion of those qualified to judge, should be so provided for.

Administration. This aspect of the project before us must naturally raise considerable differences of opinion, which will be generally averse to the sweeping away of any existent drainage boards. On this phase the report reads: “The control of the area to-day is vested in the Manga war a River Hoard and the T’apoto Tauhci. Woodlands, Hillside, and Eureka drainage districts. Each 0 f t.hpsc hoards operates over various portions or the area, and in addition there are odd sections with no drainacre control. Under this much-divided control uniform and economical prowess and equitable distribution of the costs is impossible. The district well •warrants development, and if Ibis development is to be carried out in an efficient, manner it is essential that the whole area should bo under one control. and I would strongly recommend action being taken in that direction.” There appear to bn three ways at least in which the spirit of the rccom-

mendation made could be complied with: — (a) The present boards could be done away with and a new one formed, having “subdivisions” as provided for under the Act, each represented by at least one member, and other lands proportionately provided for. (b) The present boards could continue in existence with an “over” board (something on the lines of the Highways Board) to direct the operations under the big scheme and see they are carried out, with power of veto of any local works; to collect the apportioned payments from districts under the jurisdiction of the boards, through the boards, and from other lands in the scheme and outside any drainage district direct. (c) The present boards could be suspended till the big scheme is carried through, when the lands would be handed back to them. This vexed question ihe tribunal would also investigate'■and make its recommendations but doubtless ihe; views of all the local authorities con- ! corned would lie carefully considered. Administrative difficulties and costs are matters of grave concern in any undertaking. and on a wise decision on this point may rest I lie success or failure of Lhis great work.

Recommendations of Commission. Having dealt briefly with some of the steps which may lie taken, let us consider the subsequent position. We will presume that the Royal Commission has sat and listened to all the evidence which could be sot before it; the next step would be the presentation to His Excellency the Governor-General of the report. This report is consi lered by the Government with the idea of deciding what action shall be taken. Again and again during Ihe writer’s association with public affairs has a letter been received enclosing the report of a commission, with a covering letter from the Minister asking the views of the particular local authority interested, for consideration before any definite decision is arrived at. The Act distinctly lays down that it is entirely at the discretion of Hie Government. The report of the Inland Waterways Commission, which was prepared some four to eight years ago, has been given effect to only in one minor point. The Government is not bound in any way to accept it. If the Government, gives effect to Ihe. general recommendations of the Commission on the lines of the report, it would appear that, ratepayers would have, the following opportunities of being heard under flic procedure set. out in Ihe Land Act, 10(18: —(a) Ratepayers’list; (b) classification for benefits; (o) construction or works, to which they can object if any part passes through their land; (d) at the ballot-box, when they i can vote against any loan proposed for which security is given over their lands

1 | Conclusion. I This, then. is the projeot of carry- • ing out comprehensive works to make some 50,000 acres of waste land into rich weal th-producing country on which extensive farming of every description may be carried out to the benefit of our people in particular and humanity as a whole. If the people of Denmark had this tract they would settle 7000 families upon it, and within a short time it would be a veritable garden. i It is to be hoped that every interested farmer will attend the conference on Wednesday next and hear the j views of the responsible Government | officers, who should be able to give j valuable information, which should ’ ! provide food for thought and prove j reassuring to any who hesitate to cnI dorse the fullest investigation by a | competent tribunal, with a recommendation for favourable consideration of some such developmental policy. I - ; -■ -