DODGING THE ISSUE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 94, 28 July 1944, Page 5

DODGING THE ISSUE

SETTLING GALATEA ESTATE

REHABILITATION PROSPECTS

Dissatisfaction with the Minister of Lands reply to its recent letter urging that the Government take steps to consider the settling of ex-soldiers on the Galatea Estate as part of its rehabilitation scheme was voiced by several members of the Whakatane County Council at last Tuesday's meeting.

The letter stated that the Galatea Estate was recently inspected by the Minister, when it was realised that there was scope for the settlement of a large number of ex-servicemen on this Block, but successful settlement, which was so important not only for the individual but also the Government, was absolutely dependent on a much more liberal allowance of fertiliser than was available at the present time. However, as soon as an extra allowance was in sight, every endeavour would be made to prepare this particular land for individual occupation.

"The letter seems to be dodging the whole issue," said Cr McCrac'ken. chairman of the Finance Committee, when commenting upon it.

Cr Cawte: The whole point to my mind is that Government officials who are managing the estate are frightened of being put out of good jobs. There is only a small section of Galatea taken Up at present. There is plenty left for further settlement.

Cr Luxton said that the letter related a different story to what had been told them at the annual conference, of the R.S.A., when it had beeni said that the only thing pre-, venting the cutting up of Galatea was the shortage of building materials, and iron piping. He was definitely of the opinion that the Government was merely pulling the wool over their eyes, having made up its mind not to settle this district. It was a great pity t as in his mind the Galatea Plains constituted one of the. finest tracts for potential settlement in the Dominion. He had taken the trouble to secure figures relating to the production of farms already operating there and had discovered that the, Galatea herd testing group had beaten one of the best groups on the Rangitaila for butterf'at returns. He had also contacted settlers in the district who had assured him that if they were given a slightly increased acreage, they could guarantee to produce annually 10, OOOlbs butterfat per farm. He could vouch for these figures as he had gone, to considerable trouble to secure them.

The Council decided to write the Minister of Lands requesting advice as to Avhethei it was the intention of the Government to settle servicemen at Strathmore and Tokoroa before Galatea, which lands were in the Council's opinion inferior for the most part to Galatea. Also that the Government be once again urged to consider the cutting up of Galatea for soldier's settlement as an urgent duty of the Rehabilitation Committee, and that copies oZ the letter suggesting this action be forwarded also to Messrs W. Sullivan and Sim, M.P.'s.