The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1930. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1930. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

I HK Government lias been as good as its promise in appointing a small commission with local Knowledge to hl J ,y out the land in Grey and West•land, isu.yaiiblei .lor Metilen tut. in giving credit for the action taken, the services of Mr O'Brien, M.P., must not be overlooked, for the Member for Westland kept the subject prominently before Ministers since he obtained the first promise from the Prime Minister. in addition to the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr Cagney) there are Mr Mulcaro and Mr J. Monk, local wet-tiers of Glrey and Westland Counties, respectively, associated in the work, and we understand they are to tour both districts and inspect localities suggested , for occupation, or which may he offered to the Government. There is, of course, a. very large area of Crown lands in this district particularly, which is unoccupied. Much of it is covered with fine forest and at present is set apart as reservations under the Forests Act. Cognisance must he taken of (siich areas, however, where they are easy of access, and considered sill tab lo for settlement. In addition to the Crown areas up and down the Coast, there is also the question of large freeholds in various settlement districts which are not uped to their capacity, and which are suitable for acquirement as a means ol closer settlement. fn well loaded districts where there are such areas, the owners might consider the advisability of offering the land for purchase, and subsequent settlement. Many areas of the nature indicated exist in well ronded localities arid in touch with dairy factories and' the land utilised ns suggested, would carry far more people and assist to establish the countryside with greater permanency. .Tnst at the moment prices for dairy products are depressed and the occupation of dairy farming docs not suggest a. very lucrative calling at present, but that condition of affairs should mend betimes, and dairying revert to the old and better order of affairs. The greater utilisation of the land in occupation must be for the betterment of the country as a whole. Jhe mere that can be produced en sures greater wealth, and to achieve that return the land must be in active use and not allowed to lay practically fallow. Another cla/is of land is the endowment areas which are spread up and down the district. Many of these include river-flat land which is invariably responsive ( to cultivation. In the instances where these lands have been thrown open for settlement, there has been an unsatisfied demand, the number of npplioant/s far exceeding the sections available, and a very promising group of prospective settlers have had to be turned down. A striking example ol this was when the Poertia endowment at Little 'Wanganui river was thrown open. There was an unusually good groan of young people anxious lor holdings, and that fact alone should .spur the present Commission to give earnest consideration to the task before it, for given the land for settlement.. there are the settlers most anxious. to get on It. There is still another class of land for consideration swamp lands. Several areas tapped in times past ore making a good response to the work of the occupiers. and there is more of that class of laud available, if assistance in drainage is forthcoming. There still remains also the great, tracts of country waiting to he opened up bv roadintr. N ''‘ u rondo projected oT late promise to open up a givd deal of new emud'-v. and its suil-bilitv for early settlement might, well be investigated. II West Coast lands have been proved for their value as grass lands, and the returns thev have yielded do not req u ire enumeration. Land, hereabouts is much cheaper than the high priced lands often acquired by gov-

cnuni'iits for settlement, a nil the result is a serious burden lor the occupying settlers. At a time like the present, with produce, prices down, that burden will l>e more than some can /hear. The same loading is not probable here, and tor that reason the sections as they are made available will he nought after. It is to be hoped the Commission will look thoroughly into every aspect of probable settlement lands and so add to the greater prosperity of the district.