The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, January 16, 1015. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1348, 16 January 1915, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, January 16, 1015. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

A. cgkrksi’Ondknt iu this issue directs attention to the land suitable for closer settlement up the river. We cannot deny that there is a very large area of land within a few miles of Foxton that could be closely aud profitably settled, without, as our correspondent points out, detriment to the hemp industry. This land is within easy distance of county roads and has the further advantage of a river service. With due deference to our correspondent, we have called attention to this important matter on several occasions. We have stated that the land in question is pre eminently suitable for close settlement aud by this we mean holdings from 75 to 150 acres. But, unless the agitation is backed up by public support we might as well bark at the moou. In the Hiraatangi and Bainesse districts a large amount of native land has been acquired, improved aud settled. This particular country was looked upon as very inferior laud for settlement purposes, but results have proved otherwise. The land up-river, referred to by our correspondent, Is however, of far superior quality —in fact the most of it is unsurpassed for fertility in any part of the Dominion, There are a few small holdings around Moutoa and farms of 40 acres have recompensed holders. Something should be done to force the Government or holders to place the surplus land on the market. For preference we should like to see the Government acquire the land and settle it rather than it should be left to the owners. But who is going to move in the matter ? It is safe to assume that no action will be taken unless the public is behind it. The local Chamber of Commerce is dead, but there is no reason w 7 hy it should not be resusitated and take up this matter. To this end we urge a public meeting to resusitate the Chamber of Commerce and the matter can then be dealt with iu a thorough and systematic way. To deal with the important question of laud settlement in a vague aud general way otherwise than through some responsible body will, not result iu any fore ward movement.

Ol’k correspondent also touches on the question of the Government acquiring the tlax areas. This is also a matter of vital interest to those engaged in the industry. It is quite true that several millers are sandwiched between the owners of the green flax and the Flaxworkers Union. This is a question which could be dealt with by the Union instead of wasting so much time ou matters of less importance.

Si'KAKiNcj at the Lower Hutt at a dinner tendered to Mr A. M. Samuel, the Reform candidate for the Hutt seat at the recent general election, the Prime Minister referred to the last election campaign. and said that be had never previously heard of anything like the scandal that had been indulged in. The Government, having regard to the time they had been in office, had done more than any other Government for the rank and file, yet they were attacked over their arrangements to ship the Dominion’s produce and over their efforts to reduce the price of bread. It was even said that the Ministry was getting something out of wheat importation transactions. The people of New Zealand, added Mr Massey, realised their narrow escape from having Parliament dominated by half-a-dozen extremists, and many would welcome another election to remedy mistakes made at the poll. If another election came and it were freed of the side issues which complicated the last poll, be would have no fear of the result.

An Antwerp correspondent announces a significant step which has just been taken by the German military authorities in occupation of the Belgian city. A proclamation has been issued declaring that anyone photographing the ruins caused by the war, or distributing the reproductions of such photographs, is to be subjected to a maximum penalty of 5000 marks or to a year's imprisonment. No doubt, while German apologists are endeavouring to convince neutral countries ot the essentially benevolent character of the German occupation, it would be highly inconvenient to have the irrefutable evidence of the camera available. It does not seem to occur to the Teutonic mind that the very necessity for such a prohibition as has been issued is the most damning proof that there is much to conceal —that the German soldiery has not been solely occupied; as other carefully composed

and diligently distributed photographs would suggest, iu nursing or playing with Belgian children. Unfortunately, there is too much reason to believe that the ruin which the Germans have made is too real to be concealed for more than the moment by any mere restrictions upon photography. The local authorities in the Herowhenua district intend to rigidly enforce the Noxious Weeds Act, It is reported that the dreaded blackberry is spreading iu the district and in view of this the autho. rlties should keep a vigilant watch, otherwise this dreaded vine will take toll of the laud as it has done in the Wanganui and Taranaki districts. The amount of labour and capital expended on the eradication of blackberry iu Taranaki is enormous and the value of laud upon which it has a mortgage drops considerably. On some of the runs in this county seeds have been dropped by birds and plants have made their appearance. The blackberry vine is the most dreaded of all noxious weeds, and farmers throughout this district would be well advised to scan their property and uproot it without delay.