SETTLING PUMICE LANDS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 238, 24 May 1928, Page 4

SETTLING PUMICE LANDS.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ACTS.

ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING ENDORSES PROPOSALS.

Farcical, Fossilised, Financial Formalities Exposed.

There was a good attendance of members of the Putaruru Chamber of Commerce in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Monday, at a special meeting, when an address was given on the question of land settlement in the proximity of Putaruru. Mr. J. W. Barr Brown occupied the chair. In an hour’s address, the speaker, Mr. G. G. Griffiths, pointed out that that these were difficult times in an economic sense, and because of that there was an inclination, which at times almost amounted to cowardice on the part of business men and political leaders. This produced tinkering methods and fundamental proposals were neglected because of this economic fear. Non-productive Effort. On top of this he thought clearer sight was needed by the man in the street so that a stronger public opinion could be formed which would tend to prevent economic waste by politicians. He did not begrudge Auckland or Wellington their new stations, but he felt that the threequarters of a million involved could, for the time being, be, with other moneys, better spent in other directions. In view of the state of the railway finances, the erection of these new stations was like a farmer who with £2OOO capital would take up a farm and spend £ISOO on a house. Both were nonproductive efforts. Every Acre a Customer. It was productive efforts that were wanted both for the benefit of the railways and the State, and he urged that the Government should make a survey of all idle and unsettled lands contiguous to existing railways and make every effort to settle these before new lines were considered. Every acre should be regarded as a potential customer by the Railway Department. Illustrating this point the speaker pointed out that Putaruru was a natural gateway, and the Chamber might take definite action by stating a case with regard to the district. Within a distance of 6i miles from the post office, on the southern side, there were 30,000 acres of land in blocks of 750 acres or upwards, each block of which was at some point within three miles of a railway. Much of this was good land free from any defect. Over and above this there were thousands of acres of splendid farming country, without a trace of sickness, all of which was eminently suitable for farming purposes.

Give a Dog a Bad Name— The district had got a bad name ir. years gone by, and the present position was farcical, and demanded determined and sustained effort on the Chamber’s part. Because years ago it had been put on Government records that this area was sick and worthless, it was damned from a financial point of view by fossilised officials in Wellington. Proof of this was that the local Town Board had been turned down by the Public Trustee when it had applied for a loan. This was a most reprehensible action, the speaker thought, when the facts were considered. The loan being a first poll was equivalent to a first mortgage, and he claimed that the elected representative of the people had no right to so damn the work of another body of the people’s representatives without giving a reason. Were the board a private concern, or the application made to a bank, or were the town heavily encumbered by loans, the position would be different, and he would have had no complaint to make. On top of this a report following a personal inspection was asked for—the report was sent, but no visit paid. Farcical Methods.

Again, so farcical were some Government methods that he knew from experience that to secure a State advance it was hopeless to mention that a farm was two miles from Putaruru. If, however, the application was made to read “ four miles from Tirau,” it went through. (Laughter). Would the Chamber stand for such stupid methods? Continuing, the speaker stated that after investigating the whole position carefully for three years, he felt they had nothing to lose by placing all their cards on the table. There was sickness, but it was not present on all lands, and

even where it was present, it could be overcome by proper methods. There were men they all knew Messrs. H. J. W. Scott, C. C. Neal and Worth Bros., to name only a f ew —who could prove these words. Mr. Scott had been told by an old farmer when he first took up a certain block “to walk off, laddie, or you’ll loose all you’ve got.” He didn’t; he made good, and the land in question was to-day recognised as being about the best in the country. Can You Beat It? Scores of similar instances could be quoted. One, which showed the returns being secured in a “ damned district,” was that of Mr. Jones, of Waotu. His figures were as follows: Farm of 260 acres (60 unimproved), wintered 300 sheep, 100 head of cattle and 7 horses. Seventy of the cattle were milking cows, 40 of which gave over 3001 bof butter-fat, and one over 4001 b. To do this he had 12 acres of swedes and 15 acres of hay. The farm was taken up in the rough, only 10 years ago, and the speaker doubted if these figures could be bettered at the price anywhere in New Zealand. With such evidence was the Chamber going to tolerate such nonsense from Wellington ? Only last week Mr. Coates had been approached in Auckland by a deputation which asked him to settle the pumice lands. It almost looked as if outsiders had more interest in the district than they had. Mr. Coates had replied that he would do it if they would show him the way. The speaker contended that if the will was there the way would follow. A Workable Scheme. In rough outlines he advocated the pumice areas be surveyed into four classes. The first could be immediately settled, the second could be Lrought in by boy immigrants under Government supervision. These would be paid wages, and the best boys settled on the land as it was brought in. The third or poorer classes of farm land could be brought in by prison labour and again ultimately settled, while the fourth or poorest class should be used for treeplanting. In any such scheme the advice of local committees should be sought. He knew that such a scheme had been considered by Mr. Coates, but as yet nothing had been done. It was up to the Chamber to see the matter was gone on with if possible.' An Enquiry Wanted. In conclusion, the speaker urged that the Matamata County Council be thanked for their efforts in the matter and that the Putaruru Town Board be approached for their support. Further, and more important still, that the whole facts be laid before Mr. Hockly, and a request made for a commission of enquiry. It was imperative for the future good of the district that the stigma be removed, and that a sound hall-mark be obtained in Wellington. Enthusiastic Endorsement. Numerous speakers then enthusiastically endorsed the proposals made.

Mr. A. R. Vosper stated he had been advised not to touch certain land near Matamata as it was “ snuffy ” and would blow away. Instead of it being worthless he had proved it to be of the best. Mr. Alcorn stated much of the best land in Matamata had been offered just a few years ago to his father at 15s per acre, because it was described as sick and worthless. Now it was worth £4O to £SO per acre. lie advised caution in regard to the letter to Matamata County Coen,-it. as he thought they should not hi.vs the inflow of cupital. Mr. Lochhead urged the greater the settlement, the greater the town. He endorsed the speaker’s remarks re finance, and pointed out that he knew it was right to sa.v 2S miles from To Awamutu, hut wrong Vo »a\ U miles from Putaruru, when describing the same farm. f Laughter*. In Wellington, Putaruru laud was regarded as being sick, and therefore not safe to finance. In regard to settling native lands tl. <j nt . tied altering tl ,t bought for settlement the Gov.-- ••men! valuer might value it at Vll* per aero, yet (Continued in Nest Column)