CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1390, 24 April 1915, Page 2

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

DISCUSSED AT LAST NIGHT’S MEETING. At the public meeting last night CrChrystall in advocating a policy of closer settlement in this district made mention of the necessity of the Government acquiring the Moutoa Estate. He.had been informed that tlie flax area on this property was “going back,” for the reason that it was not being improved as it should be. Foxton’s very existence depended to a large extent on conserving the flax areas and it was therefore essential that something should be done at once. The royalties on the green leaf at present being exacted by the owners of this estate were exorbitant, being at present 24s per ton. It the Government acquired the property a reduction in royalties -could be made which would enable the millers to pay their employees larger wages. Although he realised what flax bad done for Foxton in the past it was not wise to have all the eggs in one basket. On the Moutoa Instate there were 2000 acres of first class grass land which could be settled in 50 acre blocks, thus making provision for 40 lamilies. This would be of immense benefit to Foxton. He understood that his opponent was also in favour of closer settlement. He did not know if he was in favour of settling the Moutoa Estate, but in conversation with the speaker on the subject he had mentioned one or two other properties that could be cut up. These lands, however, were not first class and the speaker contended that the first class lands should be first dealt with alter which attention could be given to the other. Cr Whibley, in the course ot his remarks, said there was no doubt that the growth of flax on the Moutoa Estate was going back and it was absolutely essential in the interests of the industry that something should be done. Only those who were working on the estate could appreciate the extent to which it was going back, and he contended that if matters were allowed to continue as at present, in another twenty years there would hardly be a blade of flax on it. He had recently gone back there after an absence of seven years and was very much struck with the alteration that had taken place. Previously flax was growing right to the river bank, but now there was none within half a mile of the bank. Further, the growth of fescue was increasing at a rapid rate and if allowed to continue would eventually smother the flax. The Government should certainly take over the property. He would not favour a reduction in the royalties, but the Government could expend the money obtained from this source in clearing the fescue and improving the property, and in a few years there would be more flax, which would mean more flaxmills and greater prosperity lor the district. In any case something should be done without delay as it was of vital interest to the welfare of Foxton and the flax industry.