SETTLERS AT NGAROMA.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17076, 13 April 1927, Page 8

SETTLERS AT NGAROMA.

ALLEGED DISTRESS.

CONFERENCE WITH MINISTERS

At a meeting of the Auckland Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, a series of letters concerning the acute distress of settlers at Ngaroma, an isolated district 40 miles to the east of Te Awamutu, on account of bush sickness, was read, together with a report from the union’s organiser, who had visited the settlement and who bore out allegations that the people there were in genuine straits. The correspondence showed that the settlers were asking the Government to give them a fresh start on land elsewhere and to write off their present indebtedness.

A letter w’as received from the Minister of Lands, the Hon. A. D. McLeod, who stated the settlers’ proposal would involve a great deal if it were carried out. He did not propose to comment on the matter, as ho had arranged to meet the settlers again at an early date. The Minister mentioned that already the Lands Department had reduced its charges on the block by £38,000. It was decided that such members of the executive as were able should be present when the Minister met representatives at Frankton to-morrow.