The Minister of Lands.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 308, 19 April 1907, Page 2

The Minister of Lands.

IMPRESSIONS OF THE KAWHIA DISTRICT. Interviewed as te his visit to the Kawhia-district by a Waikato Times reporter, the Hon. R. M'Nab said : “The most striking feature of my impressions,” said Mr M'Nab, “was the vast amount of native territory locked up on the road to Kawhia, and for a Considerable extent round the harbour. All the country, too, appeared to be good country for settlement, if there were only the means of allowing the European settlers upon it. If ’du-iug the few years tbe policy proprosed brings native lands la any great quantity into the market, it will certainly have a very powerful effect on that portion of the Auckland province we have just visited. I learnt more, I think, on this tour, regarding the difficulties that beset European settlers on lands adjoining native lands than I have on any former trip. Some of the scenery around Kawhia harbour is very beautiful, and when means of access from tbe city of Auckland are more complete it should became a very popular holiday place for the residents in tbeNorthern capital. The residents of Kawhia speak of a railway, which I think would be a mistake until settlement has taken up the waste country as it would simply render the difficul ties of obtaining the native lands all the greater. “ I was pleased that tbe member for Waikato (Mr Greenslade) had secured a great extension of the telephone system during the past year or two, so that we were able to communicate with head quarters at almost all the small places visited. I found on the improved farm settlement (Te Rau-a-moa) a very kindly feeling towards the Agricultural Department for the assistance that had been rendered ia coping with the ragwost pest. From my own knowledge of the conditions I think the pest has been overcome, and by keeping a fair number of sheep permanently they will, I think, effectively control it. It is also an object lesson to the agriculturalists and pas toralists throughout the surrounding country. With the subdivision going on there should be a great extension of the dairy industry in the district. Dairying is developing more rapidly throughout the Auckland Province than in any other part of tbe colony, and it only wants the native lands occupied to make Auckland the greatest dairy centre iu New Zealand. The trip, I may say, was mdkt enjoyable and has added'enorroously to my know ledge of the capabilities of the Auckland province.”