BUSH-SICK LAND OF THE NORTH

Shannon News, 27 May 1927, Page 1

BUSH-SICK LAND OF THE NORTH

FARMERS IN A SORRY PLIGHT HOLDINGS WITHOUT STOCK. A graphic review of the position of settlers on bush-sick land in the Far North was given to a representative of the Whangarei Daily News by Mr. F. 0. Lawson, after a visit to Ngaroma. ‘•’The settlers—that is, these who have not abandoned their sections — were very brave and cheerful under the ordeal, but the conditions prevailing were tragic, and no credit to New Zealand,” said Mr. Lawson.

On being asked if there was now any trace of. real progress, Mr. Lawson replied that as a bush settler of 35 years’ experience he considered that they must have been retrograde from the first burn, and in spite of some few hard-won concessions they were, now, for the most part, on the border of starvation. Many farms were without stock, and the occupiers were forced to get what small amount of work was available to keep themselves and their households. .

“And the housing?” asked the reporter. “Well, that is a point I wish to emphasise. There are only two modern houses in the district; the rest are occupying the temporary abodes they set. up 14 years ago, whilst waiting to build their permanent homes. When the bush sickness became apparent, and their stock died, the proceeds, profit, and capital disappeared, and so the new homes did not materialise.”

“Are we to understand that, after 15 years, many are still occupying the slab iron shacks that they occupied when felling their bush?” “Most certainly; and in some cases the temporary'nature of the shacks was such that now, if they attempted to mount the roofs to try to mend leaks, they would probably go through, and fall on the kitchen table.”

“Is there any chance of their remedying it before the winter sets in?’ was asked.

“None whatever, as far as their own lesources are concerned. ”

“Could these remaining settlers not be transferred to some healthy land in Government possession, and so be given the chance to achieve some measure :of success before their age prohibits it? What about the Te Wera estate, or, close at hand, the 6000 acres of partly-developed country now in conjunction with Tokanui Mental Hospital and Waikeria Reformatory?*’ “I do not know Te Wera, but now you mention it I believe you have put your finger on the solution—that is, transfer the reformatories to Ngaroma for research, development, and afforestation, and cut Tokanui and Waikeria into individual or group settlement, and make it five times more productive than it can be under present occupation. At present at Tokanui 200 cows are being milked instead of COO Three hundred or four hundred acres could be retained for the Mental Hospital, and the. demand for the surrounding districts —that Tokanui aiid Waikeria lands be opened for settlement — would be complied with, it being felt that such an area in their midst is at present an economic burden for them in rates, etc. ”

“Is there any reason apparent for not carrying out this suggestion of ours.”

“The drawback would be the jealousy between the Department of Justice and the Department of Health in any re-arrangement made with the Department of Lands, which latter is responsible for the condition of Ngaroma and the transference you suggest,. ” “It is merely a matter of red-tape, then ? ”

“Precisely.”, “Probably the prison l reformatives' are in much better conditions than the Ngaroma settlers?” “Yes; it is the Ngaroma people Who are in durance vile—in fact, up there the local translation of their tenure, ‘O.R.P.,’ is ‘Our Real Penitentiary.’ The inmates of Waikeria get at least one good meat meal a day, whilst New r Zealand’s free settlers and pioneers at Ngaroma in a good many cases most, certainly do not.” “Must not something be done immediately to alleviate coming winter conditions?”

“Yes; the Government is courting a tragedy if something is not.- done instanter. ”

“And what do you suggest, Mr. Law son?” ‘

“To my mind, reafforestation is the inevitable destiny of the larger part of Ngaroma. If that is agreed upon, then I suggest that this next month an officer be sent up there with instructions to put each occupier on wages planting his section with trees, till such time as a transference can be made to Tokanui or other lands, when the planting could be continued by the transferred prison labour. ”

“Would the settlers be content to .accept wages on those terms?” “Well, there is no harm in trying them, as they would sooner do that than go out hunting for work, and competing'with new arrivals and unemployed, while their wives and families remain at home on short* commons.” “To boil it down, something definite must be done at once?” “Absolutely, or the country will resound with the details of a tragedy connived at by a . paternal Government . ” . •