Helping the Settlers.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 245, 21 April 1896, Page 2

Helping the Settlers.

(Per Press Association.) Sydney, April 18. The Minister of Lands, during his visit . to the Riverina district, rep^'ing to harrowing representations made to him in regard to tbe ruinous effects of drought and the devastation by- rabbits, made a number of important announcements afi . to the Government proposals to assist settlers. "ddHe stated that the Government intended next session to push forward ia Bill reducing selectors' rents and otherwise easing their burdens, also allowing settlers to purchase on easy terms soitable settlement areas. Referring to the question of large estates, he . said they had no desire to confiscate property, but the large owners must remember that the land carried its obligations as well as its advantages. By excluding others from the soil, they were making the country dangerous to live in, creating a discontented people, and creating unem*. 7 ployed by neglecting the proper use of the land. The Government would at the earliest opportunity introduce a Bill to split up large estates for agricultural settlement. He advocated light rail ways for agricultural districts, but hinted that they could not be constructed unless there was a good chance of their > paying. Surveys had been completed tor a vast system of water conservation and irrigation, and Parliament would be asked in the coming session to secure to the people the right to water from all streams in the country. If millions were to be spent on irrigation, then instead of the people wanting selections of 640 acres tbey would be content with ten acres. The carrying' out of the conservation scheme largely depended; on the large owners showing their willingness to pay for water, A new Babbit BiU would be introduced which would place the destruction of rabbits in the hands of the local bodies assisted by the Government, which, parallel with these bodies, would pursue a vigorous system of extermination on Grown lands. He mentioned that since 1890 £1,000,000 had been spent in the destruction of rabbits, half of which amount had been spent by the Governmen.