A WONDERFUL FUTURE

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 243, 28 June 1928, Page 4

A WONDERFUL FUTURE

FOR PUTARURU DISTRICT. Address by Mr. Hockiy. In referring to the needs of the Dominion at the Chamber of Commerce xuneneon on Monday, Mr. F. F. Hociuy, M.P., stated tnat it was essential to remember that first things came xirst. In other words, the prosperity of the country was largely, if not wholly, bound up with the interests of the farming community. Some farmers stated the Government was doing nothing for them, while some townspeople said the farmers were getting the lot. (Laughter). They were thus between two fires —an effort to do the fair thing by everybody. He had noticed the Government’s unpopularity was waning, and this change of leeling was due to the fact that in the past they had been blamed for conditions induced by the world slump. To-day the country’s credit in London was at its apex, and the country had £7,000,000 more to spend this year, the amount being excess of exports over imports. Public Debt.

Much had been said about reducing the public debt, but it had to be remembered that over and above war costs most of the debt was interestearning and therefore no burden on the community. The State Advances Office accounted for £30,000,000 and the railways £50,000,000, while no one would agree that hydro-electric works should not be proceeded with, or that such work should be handed over to private enterprise. The Government had confined its efforts in regard to land to keeping those already on from walking off owing to economic conditions. There was no first-class land in Big areas left to settle, but there were huge areas of second and third class land. Settling Pumice Land.

From Putaruru to Taupo there were 2,000,000 acres fit for settlement, and it was the last big block left. It was a cruel thing to put men on land without hope, and he had been urging that a policy be evolved whereby this area could be settled. To do this successfully farming and tree-planting must go hand in hand, while communication and cheap finance were also essential. Unless cheap manures was available the pumice land could not be worked successfully. He had always expressed his faith in this class of country, and when farmed by sound men with capital success was assured. Tree-planting was a source of wealth to the country which many failed to properly realise. To-day there was something like £3,000,000 of overseas money invested in this business.

Sir Amos Nelson, of James Nelson, Ltd., a big firm of Lancashire spinners, had stated that he was exceedingly impressed with what was being done. From Waste to Wealth. One acre of pine or redwood, more especially the latter, was worth £IOOO, and up to £I4OO. This was the estimate of one of England’s tiggest spinners who knew all about the artificial silk business. It gave an indication of what was ahead of the district—there was no asset to compare with it, and nothing he could say could too highly colour the picture of the future. Canadian supplies of soft wood would only last 25 years, American 19 years, and New Zealand till 1965. These were Captain Ellis’ figures, and proved there was going to be a world shortage. In conclusion, they had to remember that so favourable were conditions for tree-growing in the pumice areas that New Zealand could grow two forests to any othej; country’s one. . I’S&r.’* '