The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. THURSDAY, SEPT. 30, 1915. "THE MAN BEHIND THE HOE."

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 September 1915, Page 2

The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. THURSDAY, SEPT. 30, 1915. "THE MAN BEHIND THE HOE."

Ihu necessity lor maintained eifort im ilie Land is greater to-day than in times ol peace, lor the diminished pe.oentage of workers in {reproductive callings since the outbreak ol the war places upon the rural population a dmy towards the <State that coincides with the individual desire to prosper, l*'or every extra bushel ol' corn or ton ol butter produced the world is the richer. and the balance oi commercial i.v change is made the greater. It in the light ol' this laci that till* well maintained progress oi' land settlement in New Zealand seems cause for feelings oi special appreciation, and the need ior„ a sustained resolution oil the part oi Hie Covernjueiit to extend (rather than restrict) expenditure of moneys on subdivision ol large estates becomes clearly evident. The temptation to cut down expenditures in tunes of linancial stress is great, but the economic aspect ol the vntit 1 demands a broader vie.v, with a recognition of the Tact that an ill-nourished political body will act as ineffectively as any lesser .corporate capacity does in like circumstance. 1' or this reason The Chronicle is pleased io note that the annual report of the land purchase inspector to New Zealand Government discloses the l'act that in -lie year ended March last there ivas no diminution in the progress of land settlement operations throughout New Zealand. The report sets out that'the number of properties considered by the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners ivas 137, of an area ol" 8(55.198 acres, of which 50,'211 acrets were purchased at a cofst of £356,687. With the exception of 1693 acres not yet taken delivery of the whole has been suitifactorilv settled. The demand for several of the blocks was extremely keen, and anything offered suitable for mixed farming, but more especially for grazing, i.s eagerly competed for. Further purchases have lately been made totalling 13.963 acres, valued at £108,316 nntl negotiations are pending for other areas. Notwithstanding the unsettled condition o! affairs, a- good many properties are changing hands at prices quite up to those ruling prior to the outbreak of the war. While the present prices for our products are maintained there wouldappear sufficient warrant for the high values obtaining. During the year the necessary notice lias bee'ii served under section 61 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1913, upon three owners in respect to their proporties and subdivision is proceeding. The tot-il area purchased to the end ot March. 1915, is 1,540,578 acres at a cost ol £7.293,300. There have been six associations formed during the year with thirty-seven members and an area of 3.279 acres, valued at £62,553. Several other proposals were under consideration. but for various reasons were not approved of. Tin* associations ••.•!- ready formed, with very few exceptions, appear to be prospering. The mode of procedure for the formation of :>n .association is very cumbersome, and in several instances has been the means of preventing suitable men taking advantage of the provisions of the At". The present Act should be repealed and replaced by a simpler one. with wider powers. •