FARMS OR FORESTS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 307, 26 September 1929, Page 5

FARMS OR FORESTS.

CONCERN AT PUTARURU. Farmers Discuss Position. Attention was drawn to the encroachment by afforestation companies on farm lands by Mr. L. M. Nicklin, of Putaruru, at the sub-pro-vincial meeting of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union for the Rotorua district at Matamata on Tuesday. Mr. Nicklin said that trees were now planted within a mile of the town boundary, and one farmer was now completely surrounded by trees. There was nothing left for him to do but get off his farm, and yet his herd was one of the highest-producing in the district. Mr. W. H. Allen stated that Mr. Taverner had given his assurance that such tree-planting would be stopped, yet nothing had been done. The trouble appeared to be that the companies had now become so powerful that the Government would not tackle them. Mr. A. E. Robinson did not see that the Government could tell a man what he should do with his land. Mr. B. Dennis stated that was not the point. The whole cost of the roads was being thrown on to the , few farmers that were left. On the motion of Messrs. T. H. Prowse and Nicklin, it was decided to draw the Minister’s attention to his own statements, and to the lack of action by the Government.