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Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1926, Page 2

At the interview with the .Minister ot Lands dll Wednesday night, there was a good deal said in reference to deteriorated lands. This no doubt was the outcome of the Act passed hist session whereby Parliament made provision tor the relief of the occupiers ol certain Crown and other lands in respect of hardship due to the deterioration ol snob, lands or to their natural lack ol productivity. Parliament backed up its action by authorising £IOO.O;iO for making advances under the measure. Probably it is natural that most districts are seeking to get. some advantage from the now law. tor it is not difficult, to find land which after a period shows some deterioration. It i = nm. possible to keep on taking out. without putting in, and it the required assistance is neglected, the land produces less, and so deteriorates, Jhe tanner hitherto has helped him.sell perhaps by a rotation of crops, by which means much scientific good will result to the land; or the farmer may use fertilisers, either by guess work or by advice, and so save the position. But unless the farmer has well founded knowledge of the soil there must sooner or later be difficulties to overtake him. The Minister in his remarks gave the impression that the legislation was founded on experience in the North Island where certain timing' bearing lands cleared of hush had been brought into cultivation, and alter a. comparatively short period had gone back—deteriorated in such a way as to present, a hopeless problem for the occupier. Alt' McLeod seemed to have in mind beech or hitch land, and lie lias very decided opinions against attempting fo bring that class ol land into profit, and aiming at sustained cultivation. However, it is clear that the law should have a wider application than than just referred to,' more particularly as the Minister has

a very poor opinion of the work of treating such land at all. There is provision under tho Act to bring in such lands as may be deemed necessary front time to time by proclamation, and assistance can go to considerable lengths, even to financial assistance with regard fo fencing material, lime, and manure, or in regard to any capital expenditure on the land. Such being the case, it would appear to be of advantage to make a study of Westland hinds, and in localities where there is the need to seek help to assist I retrieving the position. It was made clear to the Minister that much help can lie given with lime to the backblock settler’s, and as good results are assured there should lie little hesitancy in granting some quota of help to this part of the Dominion.