MEMBERS' VIEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1776, 14 June 1913, Page 16

MEMBERS' VIEWS.

WHAT 'SETTLERS NEED MOST. BETTER COIiIMUNICATION. AN INSTRUCTIVE REVIEW, In response to a request for their opinions as to the most urgent requirements of sottlers.'at tho present time the following statements; havo been mad© by a number of members of Parliament. MR., PEARCE ON TARANAKI'S WANTS. 'AN ADVOCATE OF TRAMWAYS. i Taranafii, according to one of its representatives in Parliament—Mr. G. 'V. Pearce, member for Patea-ris a singularly favoured 'province in that the problems which face its settlers arc by no means bo acute as in other portions of the country. Tarariaki has no settlement problem in the strict sense of tho term. The great proportion; of its lands, Mr. Pearce tci marked, a» closely settled, although there are a' few 1 blocks of rough hill oountry which havo not yet been occupied and afford an opening for pioneer settlers of the hardiest type. ' \ : Two problems, according to Mr. Pearce, : overshadow, all others in Taranaki. They are access, and. adequate means of com'munication. Tho first-named problem concerns thoTbaok-block areas, which, although occupied, are not yet in a very forward state of development. By way of stimulating.the progress of roads, bridges, and. other:lnecessary works in such districts, Mr;," Pearce advocates tho abolition of the existing system of.; Government grants ancQthe substitution of a system of liberaP| subsidies. ".*'. largo subsidy should DO'given tho local bodies in this black-block, country," said Mr. Pearce. "The best;Vplan is to assist settlers,who ' will help themselves. If possible, a subsidy of £I~m £i- should be paid to local , bodies which havo difficult development i work t0.d0." Tho amount now allocated annually 'for grants ranged from a quarter ' of a million to half a million. It might not be possible' to increase this amount ] mcantimoj'but tho local bodies entitled to special assistance should be classified, and the amount 1 availablo distributed in the shape of subsidy on rates. A subsidy of this nature would stimulate the enterprise of local bodies, and they would expend the money to the best advantage. The system of grants,-Mr.'Pearce remarked was um-

certain; difficulties arose about the expenditure of the money, and work -was aono in a piecemeal way. In some cases grants of ,£2OO or '£300 for road construction would appear; but would not be expended. Next year there might bo no vote at all. In some yeaTs.the money would be made available in'winter time, whan it could not be spent. ' If the funds were entrusted to the local bodies these difficulties would disappear. ■ Another matter which Mr. PeaTCO has at heart, is sthat of providing, less expensive means of,communication in the. thickly settled areas of Taranaki, which have to cope with'a heavy dairy traffic. "I am satisfied," ho.Temarked, "that some counties in Taranaki at the present time are spending more 'per mile on roads than ■would serve'-to'provido them with steam tramways." In this connection, ho instanced thoxase of Eltham County, which, is improving some of its main roads at enormous cost, and has expended large Bums on a, tar-sprinkler, tar, and rollers. Road-making in this elaborate way, Mr." Pcarce states, will soon, cost about JE2OOO a, milo, and for that amount, he considers, jteam tramlines similar ,to the Fox ton line, could be laid, along tho roadside. Tho Toxton tramway, had been constructed at no greater cost, 'and ■ liad; proved a great success and,a splendid ..asset, to the district. It would be even more useful, ho added, if the" 1 Government permitted it to be linksd up"to the main railway line, so that trucks miglit be run from tho tramway to tho standard line, doing away with the expense of extra handling and transhipment. .The >llon. J. A. Millar, when Minister for Railways, had refused to allow the Boston'tramway to be linked up to tho main line on the ground that this might lead-to a diversion of traffic now passing overtho' railways to tho port at Foxton. . , , , Tho member; for Patea is . strongly of opinion that the Government should encourage the of steam tramways to Tolievo the' wear and tear on roads •which bear heavy traffic, and that the linking up of the tramways with the main lines at convenient points should also be result would be, Mr. Pearce declarej;'to increase tho traffic on the railways iarid'io enable tho local bodies to effect largo economies. 'The tramways, he considers, shouAd be built on the same gauge as the standard iines. Although in some parts of • Taranaki tho tramways would have, to-pass over numerous streams. Mr. Pearce state sthat their initial cost would scarcely, be greater than the cost now incurred -in maintaining lieavily-usod roads for a short term of years. In .many places the widening of a bridge, with an additional line of piles, would servo to carry a tramway over a river. Capital sunk in tramways would take a much moro enduring form than an equal sum spent in road. .maintenance, the cost of upkeep would-bo slight, and the tramways, unlikethe roads, would return a revenue to tho local bodies. , The further extension and cheapening ot rural telephones is another assistance to which finds a strong advocate in (In' member for :Patea. For instanco, lie '.iiinlis that'facilities should be given to "i-lfors to link up their individual houses, of .'Having to depend on central V-v.-. :iux, as.is in numerous instances tho at :H'e?ent. Di ir inoisc.V.lias, in one respect, Mr. Twee considers conferred a benefit in '!'.'!inm\!;i -by discouraging speculation. Vfiro'ighout.the,province,'he states, faTmi"? i< steadily 'improving. Tho high values of"land in'thenlselves,..roako.it, necessary tn best possible yield,. ..

MR. J, B. HINE'S VIEWS. TRANSIT. MONEY, AND HILL COUNTRY FARMING. 'At tho invitation of TnE Dominion Mr. J. B. Hino, M.P. for Stratford, has supplied tho following statement of his views of the most urgent needs of farmers at the present time:— In these days of keen competition with other countries it is impossible for either producer or State to mark time; on the contrary, to bo a successful developing country tho first essential is to anticipate requirements. Now our requirements are many, but in this short article I propC3o touching on two or three only. Ono of which is better facilities for transit. Producers who are away from tho main roads or railways find the expenses incurred in reaching tho ship's sido almost prohibitive, and it is open to consideration whether the producer who elects to "blazo the trail" should not be given some concession in railway 05 shipping freights. The State has not done the fair thing to the people way back, people who were induced to do the pioneering work of this country under tho promise of early road construction everywhere, and in many places railway communications. To remedy the injustice is the question of the moment, and I strongly advocate the early completion of the majority of railway lines now under construction, a special effort to improve tho system of road-making, and' in this direction I think the county councils should be given increased assistance from the Consolidated Fund, and in return tho county councils should accept greater responsibilities This would enable the councils to instal motor vehicles in districts where railways are not a payable proposition, or the council could build tram-lines, or possibly light lines to act as feeders to the main railways. Another requirement for a. successful development of tho country—and just nt present a very urgent one—is the supply of money at reasonable rates of interest. Withont going into the advisability or otherwise of tho scheme of the State lending money, it is quite evident that the country is committed to the responsibility of finding money for developmental purposes. State competition having driven away several laTgo money-lending institutions, it is obvious that the State must protect the borrower from extortionate rates'of interest, and just at this period of tightness in financial circles, a special effort should be made by tho State to cater to tho wants of many a settler. It is not when money is cheap that the operations of tho State Lending Department aro so necessary, but it is in times of withdrawals by banks and other lending institutions that an active lending, policy is very essential. Tho other matter I wish to touch npon is tho necessity of improved methods on the fanning of hill country. By hill country I mean land that it is impossible to put- tho plough in, and we have many thousands of acres of this class of land. Where'the plongh can go, scientific methods can supply wants, and farmers are fast accepting the doctrine of scientific fanning, aided greatly by the Agrciultural

Department; but in hill country such is not the case. . Up to the present generally speaking the decomposed vegetation has kept the pastures going, but the' farmers ore just beginning to find out that tho pastures will run out. To keep the pastures on the hill country from deterioration is what is wanted, and I would suggest that the Agricultural Department shonld be utilised in assisting this Tery urgent' work. We have experiment farms in several districts, but all on level land, and it would bo a forward movement on the part of the Agricultural Department to strike out and experiment with hill country, or assist some practical farmers ia different districts by demonstrating the value of different manures by surface treatment on pastures. MR. CI K. WILSON ON THE SETTLERS' FOUR NEEDS. TRANSIT, LAB6UB, EDUCATION, . AND MONEY, Mr. C. K. Wilson, M.P. for Taumarunui, writes as follow:— We must face tho fact that within the last few years the products of tho land have not been increasing at the rate we should desire. Bemcmbering that New Zealand is essentially a farming country (every industry other than the development of our natural products has, of necessity, to bo fostered and protected) we should expect to see yearly immense strides in our agricultural and pastoral developments. Finding this not so, it is well to- inquire into the causes. There are four causes which, in my opinion, help to render country life both unprofitable and unattractive. These aro want of roads (and other means of transit), wont of money, shortage of labour and tho unsatisfactory conditions in tho back district for the education of the farmers' children. Great problems, indeed, to attempt to deal with in a short article such as this.

First I propose to deal with the ques tion of transit. I am, as your readers probably know, a strong advocate for roads, and hero let mo say that the North Island has never yet had the benefit of a well-thought-out practical, and statesmanlike system of road construction, but the subject has been dealt with piecemeal, and governed by political and financial expediency. We have all seen instances—roads started as bridle trackswidened to six feet, then 10 or 12 feet, and finally a 14-feet road, and in the forming of this, in many places, valuable metal, encountered in the formation, which shovelled over the bank costs, say, 2s. per yard, is wasted in the gullies, when an additional Is. Gd. per yard would have placed it on tho road to the great saving of public money. Why cannot we inaugurate ti continuous system, making provision for the completion of each work instead of the yearly toss-up to see what luck is to fall to each particular electorate? When wo start a railway or public building, Parliament is expected to provide for its completion. Why not do so with roads ? Tho Government should prepare estimates for the completion of a work as is doue by local bodies and then' push it to completion without any delay, other than weather conditions. I ain sorry that I cannot here deal with the question of light railways, of which I am a strong advocatc, as being cheaper and juorQ expeditious than

roads wlicro tho traffic is heavy and tho distanco long. I nm not pretending that tho want of money is confined to the former—l havn even known politicians to bo short—but with tho farmer money is an absoluto necessity in tho production of wealth. When wo recognise that every dairy cow milked produces from eight to ten pounds of profit per annum, how necessary it is that tho farmers should bo cheaply and casfiy accommodated with such advances ns they require in the development of tho land which is to produce thf country's wraith. The ideal solution, I should suggest, wild be farmers' co-operation, but in view of tho difficulties experienced in inducing the farmers to combine, it may become most advisable for tho Government to initiate a farmers' bank. It must readily be admitted that of all borrowers none are more stablo and secure than tho man on tho land (not, of course, tho speculator, but the working farmer), but Ins want of experience often makes it very difficult for him to financo himself satisfactorily. If the large mercantile firms can handle English capital at G per cent and 7 per cent, surely the Government can do so profitably at a much cheaper rate. ' The shortage of labour is no doubt moro severely.felt in the agricultural districts, and is already tending to diminish production in that line; but tho shortago is general throughout the colony, innd is hampering all farming operations. Judicious immigration may partly meet the case, and this can only bo effected by sending a practical man to tho Old Country, who will get in touch with the people and enlist the class most needed. Banquets and receptions in London hardly bring us any of the right sort of immigrants. Tho great thing is to prevent the influx of our country-bred boys and girls into tho cities. This is going on to an nlanning extent, and I need hardly pint out that its continuation spells disaster. Tho remedy no doubt is hard to find, but I am of opinion that State oconomj in tho cities and towns, and a sincere effort to ameliorate some of tho hardships of the country would do something to help in this direction- , - , One of the most pressing needs of the formers is tho suppression of the speculator or land gambler. Ho pushes up the prices of, land against tho bona-fide farmer, he adds nothing to tho country's wealth, he increases the burden of the farmer, and proves a pernicious example to the community, inasmuch as his object is to reap where ho has not sown. Mr. G. R. SYKES'S STATEMENT. HOMES FOR RURAL WORKERS. Mr. G. R. Sykes, M.P. for Masterton, forwards tho following statement:— You ask me what, in my opinion, are the most pressing needs at the present time of those engaged in country pursuits, and at the sanio time to suggest a line of policy which seems to me to bo best calculated to assist in the progress and development of the country, a policy not only beneficial to the primary producing interests, but through them to all sections of the community. The needs of this class of tho commun-

ity in my district and tho Dominion generally aro bo varied and so numerous that, within the scope of a brief article, one cannot do. justice to such a very important subject.

As the facilities for acquiring a good primary and seoondary education are tho main essentials to the future success inlife of every boy and girl in the Dominion, so, in addition thereto, is it essential to the future success of the boys who are desirous of engaging in farming, pursuits, and of the agricultural and pastoral industry generally that duo provision shall be made' for teaching those children scientific farming methods. In the past the varied knowledge demanded to successfully work a farm was acquired f n the school of experience,_ which oft-times is a very dear yet practical teacher. But tho price of land is too high to-day to admit of much loss being made by way of experimentalising. The knowledge in this direction should be acquired in a duly constituted agricultural college. I am pleased to see that this very important is engaging'the attention of tta Minister for Agriculture (the Hon. Mr. Massey). That such an institution is required is unquestionable.

Another pressing need, especially in this district, is tho provision of rural home:, for workers. Comfortable cottages should be erected on suitable areas of land acquired for the purpose, and adjacent to town. Every person has a right, under certain conditions, to a permanent ho ma in his native land, and how can wo expect patriotism if this cannot be obtained. Moreover, the acquisition of a bit of land is ona of those tilings that will raise a man from serfdom to comparative independence. A man with even an acre of land of hi 9 own is virtually independent, as he has always something to fall back upon when work temporarily fails hinand it encourages him in a spirit of enterprise and thrift, which may enable hin to acquire fivo acres or moro as time goc?

on. It is, in fact, a stepping-stono to something better. Tho linking-up of tho back-blocks with tho nearest and most suitable market by tho construction or completion of good arterial roads is necessary in tho best interests! of all concerned.

Although good roads aro tho greatest necessity, I hold the opinion that, especially whero suitablo metal for tho proper upkeep of the roads is unobtainable, and whero the districts, by way of their size and fortility warrant it, comparatively cheap lines should be constructed. Metal can then bo carried almost to any point, goods can bo couveyod to and iioin tho market at a less rate than now obtains in tho back-blocks. An encouragement is also afforded tho settler to farm his land more intensely, and thereby making that farm moro productive. In writing of roads and their maintenance, I beliove tho time will soon arrive when the Government will take over and maintain all arterial roads, when tho various districts of the Dominion will bo classified according to tho urgency cr otherwise of Stato assistance, and when each district will bo aided by State subsidy in proportion to its readiness to rate itself. Tho State should help those who help themselves. Closer settlement should not bo lost Bight of. Thero are to bo found in any country centre scores of men willing, capable and anxious to take up land. They havo not sufficient capital to go on the open market, and therefore land must be provided by the Stato. An active policy of closer settlement has been pursued by tho Massey Government while in office, but yet much remains to bo done. Doubtless our dairymen up to the present have received a certain amount of State assistance by the grading of their dairy products, by its conveyance by rail to nearest port at a comparatively cheap rate, etc., but more assistance in the right direction is yet required. For instance, sires, of tho best milking strains in tho world, should be placed, under proper safeguards and conditions, at the disposal of the dairymen in the various centres. Tho dairy herds must.be improved. They aro not producing more than half tho butter or cheese they should produce. Good milking strains should bo disseminated right throughout tho herds of this Dominion. ' The average dairyman, although he recognises this necessity for improvement of his herd, has seldom the means to givo effect to it. The State should come to his aid. There are other matters of urgency which cannot now be recorded, but I feel that the needs of those engaged in country pursuits as set out in this short article should bo given attention to, for it will make directly or indirectly for the Increased productivity and the prosperity and happiness of the people of this Dominion,