CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1405, 1 June 1915, Page 3

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

PETITION PRESENTED TO THE PRIME MINISTER. MR. FIELD’S VIEWS. Mr J. Chrystall, who took a petition round the borough for signatures, praying the Government to acquire adjacent lands for closer settlement, forwarded the same on to Mr W. H. Field, M.P. for the district. Mr Field has presented the petilion to the Prime Minister, and the correspondence in connection with same will be read with interest by signatories. The following letter was received by Mr Chrystall from Mr Field : “Dear Mr Chrystall.-—I have to-day your letter of the 21st instant, covering petition to the Prime Minister bearing 504 signatories praying for tbe acquisition of large estates in the vicinity of Foxtou for subdivision and closer settlement. I have to-day presented the Petition to the Right Honourable Mr Massey, and re quested that enquiries may be at once instituted by the Land Purchase Department as to what lands are suitable, and, if he requires any further information as to the necessity of taking such lands, and the strong feeling in the dis trict on the matter, that be will receive a deputation on the subect. lam glad that you approve of the steps that I am taking in this matter. Though I cannot claim to have the same knowledge of the conditions surrounding Foxton and its district as residents of the place, it is nevertheless plain to me that the whole locality has been much neglected in the past. I picture to myself a much more flourishing town, with a live Harbour Board controlling an excellent port for. the smaller steamers, and a much increased suburban and rural population. It seems to me there is no possible reason why Foxton should not be the distributing centre for seaborne goods throughout tbe whole of tbe Upper Mauawatu and Rangitikel districts. Carriage by sea is undoubtedly cheaper than by rail, and tbe whole of the district mentioned should have the benefit ol the lessened price of their goods. We must not forget, too, the Main Trunk deviation by way of Foxton, the advisability of which, launderstaud,I a understaud, has already made some impression on the Prime Minister and General Manager of Railways. It is, of course, an inopportune time during Ibis disastrous war to look for changes ot this kind, but it is one of the matters which must receive attention at an early date. So long as I represent the district you can rely upon my best efforts in the interests of Foxton and the district. I shall hope to meet you very soon in F'oxton, and I shall be glad to hear from you at any time on any subject connected r j*. with the advancement of that ’ portion of my electorate.” The following letter has been received by Mr Field from the Prime Minister: — “Dear Mr Field.—l am in receipt of your letter of the 25th instant, enclosing a letter from Mr Chrystall, together with a petition from the residents of the Foxton district praying that steps be taken by tbe Government to acquire the Moutoa Estate and other large holdings for closer settlement, I note the representations made by you in support of the petition, and shall be glad to bring the matter before the Land Purchase Board for report. When their report is received, I shall be in a position to determine whether it is necessary for a deputation to interview me on this subject, and in that case 1 shall have pleasure in arranging a convenient time with you.”