WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1929, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS

LAND SETTLEMENT. MINISTER’S EFFORTS. (Special Correspondent.) . AVELLINGTON, May 27. Though the Hon. G. AV. Forbes, the new Minister of Lands and of Agriculture, confesses himself a little disappointed by the difficulty he has experienced in finding suitable land at a reasonable price for the ready extension of his settlement schemes, he is by no means disposed to relax his activities in this direction. He has been offered abundance of land suitable for sub-divi-sion into areas of from 150 acres to 500 or 600 acres—the sub-division, of course, depending upon the character of the soil and its proximity to markets—but the - great majority of the holders have asked prices which could not he considered by the Department. Several purchases have been made in the South Island which, the Minister is sure, represents their fair market value both to the settlers and to the buyers. The Government is not trying to drive hard bargains with the vendors, but it is determined the incomers should be protected. 'Hie mistakes of the past are not to be repeated. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. Air Forbes was among the first baieh of settlers on the Cheviot Estate away • back in the early nineties—as the public lias been reminded mure .'than once since his promotion, to ministerial rank —and the'years he spent-, in making his own way on the land eminently qualified him for the high 'office he. how holds. Ho is one of the very few first settlers on Cheviot that still retain their; original holdings, liis sons carrying! onY-the property he acquired.• As he says- himself, he took up the land as a farmer, not as a speculator, and his own experience is that of otherhigh authorities that the man who sticks to his plough, like the cobbler who sticks to his last, ig. the most likely to make a success of his job. Though the Minister of Lands does not pose as an orator, he is a very ready and concise speaker,’ and it is not his fault if the , House does not understand what he says. . A SPEEDING-UP POLICY. Statements made by Sir Joseph AA ard during his second South Island tour to the effect that the South Island Main Trunk and the Nelson-West Coast railway are to he completed in three or four years time- and the Napier-Gis-borne line in four or five years, have set the ‘.‘.Evening Post ” speculating, in a not unfriendly tone, as to how,the miracle is to bo accomplished. “ Public Works,” it concludes, “ shouldl|>resently be one of the busiest Departments of the Government, and busier than at any time in its rather busy history.' . . . The impression 'formed on sight, by tlie Duller jGorge, and by! ft' goojl deal, of the rather treacherous cojiiitry ’ that" lies ■'between the hills and the sea on the route of the South Island Alain Trunk, would lead to the belief that this is the class of earth-work or rock-work that consumes time.” But after all the evening paper assumes that the Prime Alinister nas obtained expert advice •on which bff lias based bis conclusions. PRIME MINISTER’S POLICY. > There is every reason to believe that the assumption of the “Post” is well founded... Ifeadsi ofJDepartment's never have had occasion to Complain that Sir Joseph AVard has omitted to consult them on matters of consequence within their sphere. If tlieir opinion is not his'opinion his own is bound to prevail. But he has consulted them. There is reason to believe, however, that he .is in accord with the view expressed by the General Alanager of Railways a jlittlo while ago to the effect that the railway had a great advantage over the motor in long distance traffic. “AA bile the maximum load of a motor,’’ Air Sterling stated, "varies . very little from its minimum economic load, the quantity conveyed by any particular train, may differ in amount by -209 oi 300 tons from that of another train, yet;both be running on.:, qn'. economic basis.”.'. The point’is-That the long distance traffic' is the business of the rails and the,feeder traffic the business of the motor.