IMPROVED FARM SETTLERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 486, 27 July 1912, Page 5

IMPROVED FARM SETTLERS.

Mr Wilson introduced a deputation of Tangitu settlers and explained shortly their position. They were poor men who had been in the settlement about three years and deserved every assistance. Mr Boddie, on behalf of the settlers, said the first matter he wished to represent did not perhaps come within the scope of Mr Fraser's department, but he desired to enlist the Minister's sympathy and request him °to make the representations in the proper quarter The conditions under which the settlers had been placed on the land were that they had to be landless, moneyless and married. Naturally they required special treatment. Hitherto they had nothing to complain of. They had worked at road making but had not been able to save anything beyond making a living. The sections were now in a fit state to dairy on, but the settlers.had not sufficient stock and had not the means of financing in order to get stock. They were now requesting the Government to supply them with a sufficient number of co..s to dairy on their sections. Mr Boddie said the matter was vital to the success of the settlement. If the settlers were assisted in the manner indicated tney would be successful and would be independent in a few years. Any advance made could be secured by the Government, and ho was sure repayment could be effected in three years. Without assistance- the settlement must fail. He had talked the matter over with the Commisisoner for Lands and it had been agreed that assistance in the manner suggested was absolutely essential. It would mean finding a few thousands, but the money could be amply secured and he could think of no safer or better method. Mr Boddie said the main road from Waimiha to Tangitu was of the greatest importance to the district. Mr Fraser's predecessor in office had promised that the road should be completed so as to give proper connection between the settlement and the railway. A sum of £2500 had been provided for the work and £9OO had been spent. Mr Wilson: "Wasted!"

Mr Messenger said dairying was the settlers only means of earning a living, and the ruad had to be made pas sable between the settlement and the railway in order to get the cream out. Referring to the work done on ths road the seaker said the men had been short paid on the last, two occasions and a vital change in trie system was necessary. Mr Wilson, in reply to the Minister regarding the finding of the £2500 for the road, said the money had been found by the Government in consequence of strong representations made by himself. It was not on the Estimates. He supposed it was unauthorised expenditure. The land had originally been loaded with £IO,OOO for roading and over forty miles of roading had been done. The money was exhausted. Regarding the conditions he did not think anything worse existed in New Zealand. The settlers wished to get exemption from rent for a year, but he thought this was not possible under the Act. They were entitled to advances on their improvements. Mr Messenger: The amount would be too small and the people who were most deserving would probably not be reached. Continuing. Mr Wilson urged the granting of the assistance asked for. If the settlers were helped they would do well, If their request was disregarded they would be in a bad position. The land was good, and would increase rapidly in value. The settlers had also received notice that unless their rent was paid within ten days legal proceedings would be taken against them. He would ask that this matter be held over. Mr Messenger said the settlers had a considerable amount of furniture stored at Waimiha _ railway Btation and had received notice to remove it. It was impossible to take it over the road and they could not shift it. No great inconvenience was being caused by it, and he requested that the railway officials be instructed to leave it remain until it was possible to have it taken into the settlement. MrFraser in reply, said the matter of financing the settlers with cows was in the Prim° Minister's hands. He would represent the matter to Mr Maasey. Personally he felt that if the settlers could not go on that means to earn a living should be provided. He would urge that the request be granted. With respect to

the road he would make enquiries regarding the alleged promise of his predecessor. Whatever had been promised would be carried out. He would not make a promise he was not sure of fulfilling. As much as could be done with the money available would be done.

A Settler: "It's the necessaries of life we are after, sir." Mr Wilson thanked the Minister on behalf of the deputation.