DAMAGED LANDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 2, 3 July 1939, Page 11

DAMAGED LANDS

HAWKE'S BAY COUNTRY

WONDERFUL RECUPERATION

(By Telegraph—Presa Association.)

WAIROA, July 1, The problem of • soil erosion was. dealt with by the Hon. D. G-; Sullivan [at the opening of the Napier-Wairpa ! railway today. Mr. Sullivan said that the Hawke's Bay district had. suffered: severely from disasters in the way of floods and earthquakes, but ii hacjrisen rapidly from desolation and proved itself to be one of the most prosperous provinces in the Dominion. It was this characteristic, perhaps. more than ; any other, that had induced the Government to proceed with the completion of the line be^ tween Napier and Wairoa. "It is true that this railway winds through rather precipitous country, presenting great difficulties in its utilisation for agricultural and pastoral purposes. It has suffered greatly through heavy rainfalls removing much of its soil fer j tility, but its wonderful recuperative powers lead me to believe it will come into wealthy production. Land de-terioration-means a backward march in- farming, but we. confidently hope that with scientific aids we will prevent the country from becoming a farming .wilderness." .

Like many scientific countries overseas, New Zealand was investigating this problem, and a report was about to: be published. A bulletin had been issued by the Industrial and Scientific Department, Mr. Sullivan continued, and he urged; all those who were concerned with soil erosion, to makife: it their-business to obtain it and so ensure that the valuable information that had been-garnered by scientific investigators -would be utilised to the advantage not only of the individuals concerned, but of the country as a whole. The inquiry was being 'extended by carrying out soil surveys in other districts as circumstances permitted.

Mr. Sullivan said that, in the case of Hawke's Bay, the Government had gone even further, and the province had been selected for the first ■ land utilisation survey. The question arose whether the railway to Wairoa would pay, and whether it would go through land that was worthy of the advantages of better, transport. The Government had carried out a thorough survey of the.land hi the district, and farmers .would be appraised of the results of this work. ■

"The confidence displayed by -the Government in completing this ' line will largely be based upon what produce can be derived from the farming lands surrounding Hawke's Bay," said Mr. Sullivan.