A HARD STRUGGLE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1556, 27 September 1912, Page 10

A HARD STRUGGLE.

£ TRIALS OF SETTLERS. .3 1. . ■ ■- . ' ' • ' , |1 DISCUSSED BY LAND BOARD. h 0 — 1 ' A discussion took place on a resolution moved by Mr. Ellinghqm at yesterday's ~ meeting of tho Wellington Land Board t that a return be submitted to tho'board r- showing:— ... (1) The original settlers in the Kaitieke and Retaruke Blocks. (2) Tho improvements to date of f transfer. ii (!i) Bent paid to time of transfer. £ (4) Names of new.settlers. '• (5) The consideration received from ; sales. Tho mover considered that thero was ' evidently something wrong with the rc- . port from the'Under-Secretary submitted 5 to Parliament by the Minister for Lands, i- lie understood that only two or three of - the original settlers remained on tho !. blocks, and in justice to the board he f thought members ought to have the re- ' port that was placed before tho Minister. 1 The Commissioner said that he was mis able to do .that'. D Mr. Ellinghrim went on to say that lie f only wanted the .report, for the members 2 of the board themselves! The conditions | existing at Kaitieke and Retaruke were such that if somelliiug'was not done immediately they would have to come out. Ho menuoned' the struggle of tho settlers in the Kaitieke arid Retaruke Blocks in - the Waimarino. Continuing, he said that if the board found it. necessary to call in the rents, it would mean that every settler would be obliged to walk put. Be was of opinion. that members of the board should have an opportunity bf seeing if what was laid before' the Minister' was. correct. It would, spell disaster to .nil tho settlers in.that district if no relief was forthcoming. Mr. Ellingham said that'in his opinion there was no doubt that the settlers in the blocks mentioned were 111 serious straits. Some relief must bo" obtained for these people or they would have to come out. ' Mr. Joseph Dawson seconded the motion and emphasised Mr: Ellinghani's remarks. The-poor settlers, he said, had to take up large areas in order to 'inako something oiit of them, as the ground- was of such poor quality/ These settlers had felled the bush, and had sown grass, but it did not mature freely, and consequently their capital was pretty wejl exhausted. Ho stated that the reading in the blocks was a thorbuglv disgraco' in spito.of the faet that a good deal of money had becij spent on them.' • Mr. Georgetti said members of Parliament had made statements which he could prove were incorrect. The statements had. cast reflections on the board, and had been copied by tho press'throughout the country. Much of tho information given • out was from unreliable sources.' The speaker, continuing, said that, the set.tlera had been absolutely forced by tho mortgagees. They had to give up because they . could not make ends meet principally ' owing to the rent. Mr. Georgetti was of opinion that the board was justified in 1 taking up the position it had done. ) Mr. M'Lennan was also strongly in fa- - vour of the motion. ; The Commissioner said ' that members ' should, not be .quito so sensitive about tho ; result of their recommendation. . Tho ! board was an .administrative' body and , gave advice when necessary. He said that • members of Hie board could not interfere - with the policy of the country. The board could ask for the' return, but it - could not obtain tile report suggested by ' Sir. Ellingham. No report was ever nindo ! by the. Commissioner to the Minister., The report went to the Under-Secretary, ! who dealt with the matter ■ and reported 1 what had been done. The settlers in the 1 Waimarino were no' doubt having'a hard strug?le. Imt.it was always'that way in a the Ijush. Tho. Commissioner put the motion which '• was carried unanimously.