DETERIORATED LAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 24, 14 June 1939, Page 6

DETERIORATED LAND

ABANDONMENT MOVED INCREASE IN PRODUCTION The time I:ad arrived when New Zealand should seriously consider who ther it would not be better to abandon much of the deteriorated land in the back country and concentrate on the better class land, stated Mr T. T. Murray, Toko, at the annual North Taranaki Farmers' Union, con. ference at Ingle wood during a discus, sion or. remits dealing with deteriorated land. It was a difficult thing to suggest, Mr Murray stated, as he rtecognlssd that there were many of the finest types of men and women on the uoor land. They were worse off than when they took it, but lie realised that it would almost break their hearts to go off. However, he considered that they must now face up to facts. They should consider if it were worth while earning on with land from which the fertility had gone and which it was impossible to topdress as an economic proposition. AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION In Australia millions of acres had gone out of production through 11 res. winds and erosion, yet the production of Australia had been maintained. The same thing was happening in New Zealand, for though thou, sands of acres of land had deteriorated production in a normal season was being maintained. Mr Murray contended that if efforts were concentrated on placing settlers on the better class of land increased production and better re! suits would follow. There was land that formerly carried cattle and sheep that was hardly carrying a sheep to.day.