PUTARURU DEVELOPMENT.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 119, 13 February 1919, Page 2

PUTARURU DEVELOPMENT.

Largely Attended Meeting A meeting, attended by about 120 settlors, was held at Putaruru on Tuesday, and was addressed by Mr Dalziell, chairman of directors of the Taupo Totara Timber company, and Mr J. A. Young, M.P., on matters affecting the welfare of tho Putaruru and Taupo districts. Loud applause greeted the appearance of the speakers. Mr F. C. Barnott was elected to the chair. After reading the petition, the text of which was recently reported in the “ Record,” Mr Dalziell said tho value of the land throughout tho district had been proved, and the question but remained as to how the great areas were to bo settled. The essential fact to he dealt witli was that the Advances to Settlers’ department and the Lands department were discrediting this country, which is termed pumice land. Tho individuals were not to blame, the fault really lying in a system which had grown up, the difficulty of which was that the departments were run on definite regulations which were adopted before the value of pumice country was known. The result was that the known country was getting the benefit of both departments. The officials were enthusiastic regarding the pumice country, and really wanted to see it developed. They realised its enormops possibilities, but, as stated, were tied by regulations. As a definite, simple plan ho suggested getting the influenco of the member for the district and the Minister for Lands to cause the chief of tho various heads of the departments to constitute an authority to deal.with tho question of the development of the pumice lands. To-day the settlers were the scapegoats, and the land was discredited. They /should urge the Government and keep at it. Ho further suggested a league of Rotorua, Putaruru, Waotu and Taupo settlers being formed so that any action taken may be unanimous. The Government had specially financed tho Hauraki Plains and Whakatane schemes, and should do- the same with the pumice country. However, the settlers had to he in full agreement. Ministers had told the settlers that they realised the value of the country, as had also Mr J. A. Young, M.P., who had rendered great assistance. Therefore the difficulty of forming a league should not be great. The speaker warned the settlers against a commission, but suggested that they insist on tho heads of the departments, going into the matter. Mr Dalziell then went into tho question of tho Taupo railway. He said that it had been found the company could not run the railway for the purpose of opening up the land. Land development had to take second position to the timber scheme. After explaining tho company’s position in this connection, and its treatment by the Government, Mr Dalziell said he wished to remove an impression that the T.T.T. company was in low water. The company had at present £17,000 lying idle, which it- was prepared to invest in new enterprises provided it got encouragement. It had been said by Government officials that the Government was but waiting for the timber to be cut out when tho railway could be bought for a song. He would like to inform the meeting that the timber would take 18 years to cut out. The company had offered the railway at its present valuation or at its original cost. The company had spent its money on it and wanted to got it hack naturally. It had done a great deal for the district, having spent about a million pounds. He would also like to point out that to increase the facilities to settlers more capital would he necessary. To warrant this the settlement would have to be immediate —t*he company could not wait for gradual settlement. Tho action of tho Government departments towards tho land had prevented fast development. He would like to explain that the company was under no contract to carry settlers goods, holding but a license to carry timber out, and an order-in-council which could he surrendered. For many years to come the line would be depending upon the timber traffic, and thus the company, under present conditions, could not really cater for the carriage of goods. To instance this the freight derived from goods carried for the settlers had been but £2,500, whereas the company’s freight had been £II,OOO. He wanted the people to realise that the essential thing for the settlement of the country was that the railway should be run to tho timber either by the Government or by the company. But, the Government block of timber near the line was locked up for people in other districts. This should bo opened up to expedite settle-

moot and encourage the t&rhvay. He understood that the Government had purchased native land and issued proclamations over furthersoveral hundred thousands of acres, which were assets enough to ensure the development of tho railway as a Government line. Mr Dalziell instanced the treatment of the people of tho district by the Government, regarding railways, with tho settlers in other districts. There wore many districts —• for instance Nelson and Picton —which were getting concessions. In conclusion tho speaker stated that the company had money to invest; it wanted to progress; the settlers wanted to progress. The company, beforo it invested, was in tho same position as the settlers —it wanted to see that its investments would show a return. But the company would not invest under the present Government attitude —that of trying to force the value of tho lino down to scrap price. (Applause). To Mr Hewitt: If the Government did not purchase the line, or become moro sympathetic to tho project, the company would continue to carry the settlers goods, but only secondary to timber. To Mr W.C. Rollott: Yes, the Government was penalising the settlers. To Mr Alcorn: The mode of procedure should be for delegates from the districts concerned to meet tho Hon. Minister for Lands to invite him to allow the heads of the departments to formulate a scheme, and not to leave the Minister until they gained his consent. Mr J. A. Young said when he accepted the invitation to bo present ho was unaware of the proposals to be put forward by Mr Dalziell. Ho had known the latter for many years, and knew him to have been greatly interested for many years in pumice lands. That day he wished to congratulate him on having been honest in his endeavors to put the matters plainly before the settlers. And he had told his audience tho exact position of his company in its attitude —that it was a money-making concern and was being run at a profit. However, he had dealt with' two big questions, one of which was the opening up of pumice lands. Mr Young quoted a speech delivered by the Minister for Lands at Dargaville, and stated that it was quite apparent that the Minister was not yet aware that pumice lands had bqen proved near Putaruru. He further quoted his own speech, delivered to Parliament in its last session, in which he advocated an investigation into lands southward of Putaruru to Taupo. Ho had shown that land with but a small expenditure had been brought into a state of productivity which would keep families. It was little knowledge of tho land that Lad created the unsympathetic feeling in the Government. Putaruru had shown the use the land •could be put to, and he was glad that tho Minister intended visiting it. His own opinion was that the country under notice was the only large tract of country which could at a low cost be I brought into a state of great productivity. However, now that Ministers were becoming interested in the land there were hopes. The life of the National Government was drawing to a close, and whatever happens within the next twelve months he was sure that the question under review would he attended to. Mr Young concluded by referring to tho excellent services rendered to the district by the T.T.T. company, and by delivering an address on the political situation. He said his sympathy was with the settlers in their endeavors to get recognition, and assured the meeting that his help could be depended upon. A motion was proposod by Mr W. C. Hewitt and carried “ that a permanent committee be formed to consist of those who organised the present meeting —members of the Farmers’ union—with power to add to their number with the view to placing the wholo matter of pumice lands in tho district before the Minister for Lands and the heads of tho various departments.” The motion was seconded by Mr S. McGowan and supported by addresses by Messrs W. C. Rollett and W. 11. Allen. The meeting concluded with votes of thanks to the speakers and the chairman. The meeting was enthusiastic on the question, and appreciated tho true position put before it. Considerable good should result as action will undoubtedly be unanimous.