OPENING UP NEW LANDS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 226, 1 March 1928, Page 5

OPENING UP NEW LANDS.

GOVERNMENT'S POLICY DISCUSSED.

VIGOROUS POLICY ON NEW LINES ESSENTIAL.

Farmers Must Study

their Own Problems

(Concluding Article). In the series of articles written un»der the above heading an endeavour .has been made to show in constructive terms the weaknesses of our present land policy, such as it is, and the urgent need for the prosecution of r totally new ideas on the subject. ’There is no gainsaying the fact that the country and the Hon. Minister ifor Lands are at cross-purposes in regard to this question. The former -cries aloud for something to be done, while the latter cries “ can’t," with monotonous regularity, and harps on the difficulties. H There is no personal bias against the Hon. Mr. McLeod, and though he has been hit hard in these articles, at the same time an endeavour has been made to outline methods of accomplishing the subjects in view. The writer honestly believes Mr. McLeod’s sympathies are wholly with the farmer, and that he would like to see a more spirited land settlement policy put into operation. Sympathy, however, is not enough, and the Minister for Lands is such a talkative person that he condemns himself almost every time he takes the platform. The failure of the Government to bring down a vigorous land settlement policy has produced such an outcry throughout the length and breadth of the country that in the welter of criticism some thoughtless | ■remarks are bound to be made. These provide material for the Minister to score from, and these cheap victories apparently encourage him rto further efforts—of talking. Thus it is that we find a young country which is crying aloud in painful tones for fresh settlement afflicted k by a Minister for Lands whose chief occupation appears to be to stump j the country and dilate at length on | the difficulties which beset his path, and the follies of some few of his ■^lfritics. -Modern Outlook Wanted. ~New -Zealand lives on the income derived from its land, hence the Ministry for Lands should be one of the most wide-awake and vigorous of Government Departments. Its record during the past few years clearly shows that it is anything but that, and it appears essential that a change of portfolio is necessary if an alteration is to be looked for.

The Department is urgently in need Pf a younger man with keen business instincts who is not hampered by tradition, of maudlin ideas of what ihis father had to do in. years gone by when he took up land. The problems of to-day are vastly different to what they were in Mr. McLeod’s father’s time, and no one will settle land by saying John Pioneer of ’7B was a better man than Kau Cockey of ’2B. In any case he is not, no matter how many times the “ old ’uns ” say he is. If John Pioneer were to land in New Zealand having been subject to the same forces of environment as Kau Cockey has been, he would do exactly the same as the latter does. It’s all a question of conditions, and the man who “ goes back ” to-day and struggles with nature is just as much a pioneer and as hearty and brave as any who took up land 20, 30, or 40 years ago. In all probability he is a better man for there are more opportunities and distractions to cause him to pause than ever beset John Pioneer. The trouble with the Minister for Lands is that he regards the problems of ’2B with a ’7B outlook. Training Receptive Youth. up the conclusions arrived at in these columns the several main points which seem to require attention by the Government are as follows: An adjustment should be made of our school curriculum, and the importance of agriculture realised and stressed to a greater extent. To properly inculcate the value of the basic industry of our country, far - ’ greater attention must be paid to the training of our youth so that in time a keener “ agricultural sense ” may be fostered throughout the Dominion.' All lands should be classified and every possible endeavour made to Settle same, so far as is possible

those contiguous to the railways receiving first attention. In breaking-in new country every effort should be made to do this work on a co-operative principle, in order to reduce costs and settle the land as cheaply as possible. After providing for the legitimate requirements of our own blood, other areas could be settled with immigrants, having some capital, along the lines adopted in Western Australia. Team-work Cheaper. Further areas should be developed by the unemployed and prison labour. Having brought in the country by means of draining, roading, fencing and the erection of the necessary buildings, these latter camps would then be moved to new areas, and the portions handled balloted for. In treating the areas described by the Minister as “ difficult,” team work of the kind mentioned would largely solve the problem of cost. In settling all such areas the assistance of local committees composed of men thoroughly cognisant with local conditions should be secured. The old methods of allowing settlers to go back and to wear out their hearts in splendid isolation is utterly uneconomic, and can be overcome by adopting the team work principle. The co-ordination of Government departments is absolutely essential if a vigorous land settlement policy is to be pursued, and with this a further extension of the application of scientific principles to the various types of country should be made. Too much centralisation is bad, and small experimental farms scattered throughout the Dominion are essential to the success of settling much of the land that now remains unoccupied. The great success attending the Mamaku station confirms this point. Plenty of Land Here. Assistance is also required by many holding large blocks who would be only too willing to cut up their lands had they the financial backing. Under strict supervision, with proper safeguards, thousands of acres of first-class land could be made available for settlement if such financial aid was forthcoming. The recent price cutting in regard to manures has shown that despite the hard times farmers will find money for manures if the price is made anywhere reasonable. Much of the increased production this .season is solely attributable to the extra manures used. Every effort should be made by the Government to see that full supplies of all manures are maintained at bedrock prices. If subsidies must be given to industries a subsidy on manure used would surpass all others in regard to immediate and profitable returns to the country. Solidarity Required. Coupled with the promotion of a vigorous land settlement policy there must be a vigorous reduction in Customs duties. It is the height of folly to increase duties on any article required for farming purposes. It would not be tolerated in any other industry and the only reason it has come about at all is solely because farmers are not so solidly organised as are the interests which have been receiving benefits at the expense of the farmers. This latter point is largely in the hands of farmers themselves, and until farmers realise the urgent necessity for solidarity within their ranks they are bound to be the prey wittingly or unwittingly of ■ other better-organised interests. The time has come when farmers must be prepared to give up more time to their own organisations and study j their own problems for themselves. No one else can handle their interests as efficiently as they can themselves, and all that is required is that each individual farmer realise and i act upon this obvious fact.