THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 38

THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

INTERVIEWED AT CHRISTCHURCH. VARIOUS MATTERS DISCUSSED. CHRISTCHURCH. February 18 The Hon. R. M'Nab arrived from Wellington by the Maori this morning, and' left by the Broken River train in company with Mr T. Y. Seddon. M.P.. on a visit Ito the West Coast. The Minister has never I bean previously in that part of the Do- ■ minion, and intends during the limited space of time at his disposal to see as much of the district as C3n be managed. In the course of an interview with a reporter. Mr M'Nab said in reference to the wood pulp industry which it was contemplated to establish in the Dominion that regulations had been gazetted, but the Cabinet had not vet decided how the rights were to be disposed of. A number of direct applications had been made for concessions crieination both in New Zealand and Australia The Government had not vet determined what course would be taken, but the matter, would be placed on a definite footing when the Prime Minister returned fi<>m the north. The North Island bush fires, the speaker continued." had been the most serious the districts involved had ever suffered, and a great, belt of counfrv from Eketahuna to Raetihi h--d been disastrously ravaged. "" I inrond. following out the usual practice of letting Crown tenants have grass seed for resowing on easy terms. A number of applications have already been received, and these will have a. mo3r serious effect upon the dairy industry, and incidentally, of course, upon the output of butter, the retail price of which to the New Zealand consumer lias been very hi?h for some considerable time. In many districts compassed by the fire zone the factories have been compelled to close down forthwith, and in numerous places, again, it will be amnoasible for the settlers to retain the full quota of their dairy herds on account of feed being destroyed. In any case, ■before the fires assumed such terrible proportions, feed was beoomini? very scarce, and at the beginning of February a point m the output was reached which in previous years was never arrived at before April. The output of numerous factories has been diminished by fully 30 per cent. With the reduced carrvinc capacity of much of the lan<l it is doubfful if t.he shortage ■will be comnlefely overtaken next season. Altogether it has been a most distressing experience for all concerned." i

"The dairy school Oh. yes" the Minister said, smilng happil}-, " I have received mv last deputation on that subject. Thank goodness, all the material is ready to be fixed un when my colleagues assemble again in Wellington. "

" I had a letter from Mr C. J. Fulton, chief fibre exDert, just as he was leaving St. Helena. Bo arranged for a fortnight's extension of his leave to enable him to visit Jamaica and inquire into the conditions of the trade thsre."