LAND SETTLEMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2056, 18 November 1919, Page 2

LAND SETTLEMENT.

WE believe the time is not fax* distant when the one-time dispised sand drift laud lying between Baine.sse and Motuiti will be made productive. Much of it is covered by sanddrift and manuka scrub, and the grass is shared by sheep and rabbits. Hero and there are to be found patches of rich soil, and we believe in almost any pari a short depth below the sand the soil is good, and there is plenty of water immediately below (ho surface. A few years ago some of this land was taken up by men of small means and enthusiasm. They were held up to ridicule. Look at what I hey, have accomplished. Their efforts have been crowned with success, and they are greater benefactors to the State than the few who hold the large unimproved areas. Added to which their holdings are adding to the value of the unimproved lands. ]f the Government could acquire an area of this land for some of the relmmed men anxious to get down to it, they would do well. The acquisition of such land would 1)0 more profitable than buying highly-improved land for soldier settlement and burdening the tenant with a stiff rental. However, this hind is waiting to he settled, and scientifically 'treated is capable of vielding a good living to the occupants. At present it is cursed by the aggregator and dummy, and a Government that seems powerless to grapple with the question of land settlement.