Derelict Land In Takapau District

Chronicle (Levin), 31 January 1948, Page 2

Derelict Land In Takapau District

DANNEVIRKE, Jan. 30. ^'Passing tlie buck,J was the term used by the chairman of the Southeru Kavvke's Bay Proviiieiai Earmers (Alr. E. J. Harding) wiieii referring at a mecting to a letter reeeived from. the Natioiial (Jouneil of Aid for Britaiu 011 the plan submitted by tlie JSoutliern llawke's Bay Provineial* Parmurs' Federation to have derelict land in the Takapau district cleared and placea under cultivation as a contribution to the campaign. The letter stated that the Departinent of Agrieulture had inaue extensive inquiries into the rnatter and reported that it was "aware there we.re many neglected and deteriorated areas tliroughout New Zeaiand which, it brought under coultivation, would add considerably to the country's production. The cultivation of such areas involved considerable cost and it was considered that • no commensurate return couid be expected for some years as it appeared it would take a considerable period to bring the land into production. The resultaut production would be of no beneiit to the immediate Aid for Britain plans. Tlie same problem applied to many other parts of New Zealand and it was quite impossible for the council to become inv^plved" in land development poiic.y generally, the matter being one oi Government uolicv.

"I think this is another case of wiiat we see so dften, passing the buck, said the chairman. "It is no more a case of long term policv than askin« farmers to raise heifer caJves for twc years. There is land in our district that eould be brought into production in a very short tiilie. It could be done easily with modern 11^011^61^." It was decided to refer tlie matter back to the National Council of Aid for Britain and draw its attonton to m local conditions. .. "