PLENTY OF LAND

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1930, Page 8

PLENTY OF LAND

SIR RICHARD WINFREY’S

VIEWS.

PRICKS MUST COME DOWN

“This coilntry is not yet one-fourth developed—there is land and to spare, with a good livelihood for double a.no treble the present rural population.” This was the opinion of Sir Diehard Winfrey, a member of the party of British' farmers wluicli has just concluded a tour or tiie Dominion, and expressed in Auckland. He stayed, behind to see more of the Dominion .

Sir Richard is visiting the North of Auckland and the kauri forests before returnin'' to England, via Canada.

Before the farmers left New Zealand it was decided that certain of them should give their impressions of the Dominion, these impressions to be published in booklet form in England. Tiio following is Sir Richard's opinion of New Zealand —

“ fter six weeks of travel from north to south of these islands, lie last fortnight lasing mostly spent in t.he homes ol eight kind I arming friends, 1 say this. At present the call to the towns is a depressing factor, as indeed it is at Home and u. Ciiuvda fund elsewhere. There arc fewer people on the land in this Dominion than live years ago—a stink mg fact. However, with the lai imlc>r amenities of country life—electro pwvor everywhere, the telephone, the motor-car, and better roads—sureh the tide will turn in favour of pastoral and agricultural pursuits. Dm I do not think that day can eo.ne until the price ol land falls considerably, and the Government grasps tm problem of closer settlement like men of mettle. That means that many oi the larger estates, when suitaolu, must ibe subdivided.

“More self-contained smaller farms is the present urgent need ol U.L country. The small man, who can do most of the work on his holding, with the aid of his family, is at the great advantage of having a small labour bill every Saturday night.

•‘There are, to my certain knowledge. many young agricultural labourers and small farmers’ sons at Home who have hut the faintest chance of getting land and becoming their own masters. They could be migrated after wise selection and supervision, hut you cannot ]'ut the cin t before the horse. Suitable Goreinmenc land must be ready for them at a moderate price, and under a scheme of purchase such as prevads in Canada. If they can be placed in groups or colonies, so much the bettor. Success undoubtedly awaits such mon who are prepared to work haru, as our smallholders do at Home, localise they will be working lor themselves.

“Providence has endowed these islands with wondrous climatic conditions, which is more than half the battle, and it may be made a veritable paradise for many more thousand of happy and contented families.”