THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1908. MINISTERS AND THE KING COUNTRY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 68, 7 February 1908, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1908. MINISTERS AND THE KING COUNTRY.

The recent visit to the district,of the Minister for Lands is a further indication that our legislators are awakening to the knowledge that the King Country is a place worthy of attention. That such attention is rather belated is perhaps hardly in fairness chargeable to the account of the present Ministry, and it is devoutly to be hoped those in power will rise to the occasion and strive to ameliorate the conditions which have been allowed to accumulate owing to the " taihoa policy " pursued in the past. • Usually to sigh over the ' might have beens " is the last resource of the weak, but when the baneful influence of the near past obtrudes its evil effects into the present, there is ample ground for agitation, and strenuous effort for the purpose of affording r#lief. Mr McNab is, reputedly, one of the most busi-ness-like and plain-spoken men in public matters, and, in replying to the Te Kuiti deputation, promised to support the most important applications brought before him. The matter of metalling our main roads and providing stone crushing plants for the purpose, instead of burying Government grants in mud-holes, was given particular attention by the Minister, while those matters affecting the Department under his own control were promised thorough investigation, and we may look for benefit in these directions. With regard to township tenure it was satisfactory, in one sense, to note that the Minister was manifestly astonished at the existence of conditions as explained by the deputation, though astonishment is small consolation to those interested. However, with wide publicity and strong agitation on the part of the residents of various King Country centres, there is reason to anticipate an equitable adjustment of present difficulties. Much depends upon the interest and activity displayed by those who have to bear the bnrden, and only by making insistent and reasonable demands the residents may in fairness expect reasonable treatment. The advice tendered by Mr McNab to the East Coast settlers in connection wtih agitating for a railway, may be applied with equal vigor to ourselves. This is a district of multitudinous requirements, and in order to get the most urgent of our needs attended to, we must spare neither ourselves nor those in power. The keynote was struck by the Minister when he stated plainly that for a district to receive Government attention the residents should ask for it. 'if one application was unheeded the succeeding one should be more insistent, and agitation should be increased untii success resulted. On the face of it such a doctrine handicaps the more remote districts, but 'l was ever thus in politics, and with Ministerial enlightment on the subject, the blame will rest with ourselves if agitation is allowed to diminish.. The Premier is expected to visit this district within the next few weeks, and with concerted action by the settlers some of the most important of our requirements should be met. It is to be hoped the King Country residents will rise to the occasion in every respect, apd provide a suitable welcome for the Ministerial party. Jn addition there are urgent legitimate requirements to place before the Premier, and by having" these stated in lucid and businesslike terms, backed by the united voice of the community, we are using thg most sensible method and argument possible. Doubtless, meetings will be held to discuss matters requiring attention, and it is to be hoped no effort will be spared towards appointing strong committees and suitable advocates for the occasion. Powerful and persuasive advocacy is an excellent thing, but a sympathetic audience is essential, and by | entertaining the Prime Minister in suitable style, and providing a welcome worthy of the occasion, and of the'district.- we shall be not only doing justice 'to ourselves, 'Lijj going a considerable distance towards obtaining recognition for our many requiremenjts.

NOXIOUS WtiEDS. ONE of the arguments in favour of the necessity for settling the King Country lands at the earliest possible moment is the rapid spread of noxious weeds in the district.

Maori-owned and Crown lands appear to be equally bad in respect to pests, and he a brave man and a candidate for martyrdom who takes up land adjoining unoccupied areas. It is useless to gird at governments tor neglect, and point to the effect of the policy of drift pursued in the past with regard to our district. Many influences contributed to the cvd, not the least of which was the fact that a.

Southern administration held the reins of office, and the fact that the Native land question was regarded as a danger by Northern and Southern members alike. Thus the authorities were content to allow one of the finest agricultural and pastoral districts in the Dominion to lie waste, and develop into a hotbed of noxious weeds, and a breeding ground for rabbits. Conditions are rapidly changing, however, and with settlement marchinglsteadily forward, there is reason to hope the pestilential growth will be checked. Still, the fact remains that the settler has to cope with added responsibility, and it is the obvious duty of the authorities to take the necessary stepto minimise the evil. It is universally acknowledged that the Department of Agriculture is one of the most up-to-date sections of the Government service, and the officers attached thereto are noted for efficiency and attention to their many duties. The Noxious Weeds question is one which calls for special attention in our district, and in order to deal efficaciously with the legacy left us by previous administrations, the present Government should direct immediate and searching attention to Crown and Nativet lands. The case referred to in our correspondence columns this week is only one of many, and the trouble appears to arise from the fact that it is nobody's business to do the necessary work. It is highly important that the weeds should be dealt with at the proper season, and in common justice to owners of adjoining lands, the Government should have the work done. no matter which particular Department may be called upon to perform it.