ADVANTAGE TO PROPERTY OWNERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4443, 24 April 1930, Page 3

ADVANTAGE TO PROPERTY OWNERS.

Replying to those present, the Minister said that he ha,d discussed the matter with the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) and with the Acting-Leader (Hon. G. W. Forbes), and, while they were fairly familiar with the position, it had been left for him to go into the matter more closely. Wihere there was a large expenditure by the Crown, continued Mr. Ransom, the betterment principle should 'always be applied, bringing in returns from improved lands. - He realised that it would be difficult,, almost impossible, to apply that to the Manawatu scheme, as there would he no opportunity for reimbursement out of betterment. Ail agreed that the whole of the land now affected was very valuable, hut suffered serious disadvantages from the flood waters. At the same time, Mr. Ransom did not think that the Board bad .fully realised the advantages, so far as the settlers were conveined, as compared with the State. He realised that it would be of immense advantage to the property

owners. Mr. Hay having supplied the info mu lion that in the proposed expenditure of £300,000, probably about 40 per cent, of labour would be absorbed, Mr. Ransom intimated that naturally the Government must view the matter from that point, for in times such as these •my scheme which provided work for the unemployed had to receive careful consideration, as the amount of labour absorbed was a necessary feature. Mr Ransom added that he wo- ' u)d have much pleasure in submit-

ting the hoard’s -proposals to 'Cabinet, but lie could nut accept the responsibility of recommending if on ihe lines submitted. He, himself, had been thinking over the matter in an endeavour to arrive at the lies! basis. The hoard’s proposal, however, was nowhere near his idea.

The advantages, tie continued, accruing to private property owners from the scheme must be considered. One bad to consider to what extent the general community could he called upon to meet their share of the scheme.

“Tho progress of our Dominion depends upon the proportion of ils exports to the imports, and anything that gives an impetus to the exports improves the financial position of the country,” added Mr. Ransom, who considered that that was the national (viewpoint.