LAND SETTLEMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 4, 26 March 1927, Page 18 (Supplement)

LAND SETTLEMENT

Large Areas Await Development

AUCKLAND'S UNTOLD POSSIBILITIES Much pressure has been brought to bear upon the Government in recent years to induce the adoption of a more comprehensive policy of closer settlement. Despite the fact that experience of recent years has proved that a certain class of land does not lend itself to profitable subdivision, deputations in all parts of the dominion urge the Minister of Lands to open up fresh bush areas and purchase improved blocks for closer settlement purposes. Little attention has been paid in the past to the vast tracts of so-called waste lands in the Auckland Province. Every day, however, it is becoming more apparent that it is from this land that the greatest results can be expected and that it affers the greatest scope for profitable development.

The history of the closer settlement of this lion:, ini on records both success and failure. In practically every instance the sub-division of large estates lias resulted in increased production but, during recent years, the cutting up of high-priced land has induced settlers to take up holdings assessed at values which have made profitable occupation impossible and, while recognising tills, many local bodies and farmers’ institutions still urge the subdivision of improved estates, but they fail at any time to suggest an equitable method whereby such land can lie acquired and offered to the settlers on terms which would allow them a reasonable chance of success. Even, however, where settlers have found their financial burden too heavy, few instances can bf: quoted where the iand, sub-divided in suitable areas, lias not proved beneficial. It is only reasonable to adduce that an owneroccupier on a small area will have more time in which to farm his holding, and that he will be out to obtain the greatest possible return for his labour. EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE Many instances of this are to be seen on the East Coast in the r.ivcrty Bay and Hawke's Bay districts. Following the cessation of hostilities in Europe several large holdings in these districts were taken over by the Government to be thrown open for selection by returned soldiers. In every case ownership-control of small areas resulted in a considerable increase in production and, in many instances, the returns per acre were many times greater than when the property was held by the one owner. Flats, covered with rushes and used only for sheep and cattle-grazing puiposes. were cleaned up and drained and are now profitable dairying and cropping farms. Even hill country responded to intensive farming methods and increased returns resulted. CONVINCING EXAMPLES It is in this district atso that many prosperous mixed farming settlements bear convincing testimony to the value of closer settlement. Thousands of acres there were cut up by the Government towards the end of the first decade of this century and sections that twenty years ago supported only one or two families and a few employees are now dotted with wellkept homesteads. In every case where the property is controlled by a practical farmer returns per acre have increased considerably and. where the original settlers still retain possession, they are showing satisfactory and are satisfied with their lot. It is onlv where settlers have paid excessive goodwills that financial stress is experienced. Not only is the land bringing in increased re*"™* ‘U.rhe nortlng a greater population, but the towns B ulso benefit by increased trade. IN THE AUCKLAND DISTRICT Settlement in the Auckland district has progressed on different lines to that in many other parts of the Dominion in the fact that the county does not lend itself so readily to farming in large areas. Thus, while a few large holdings were acquired by the Government and thrown open for selection at the latter end of the Liberal regime, little has been done since. Tho value of intensive farming methods made possible by the control of small areas, however, can be seen by the appearance and returns per acre taken from many of the small holdings out from the city of Auckland. . , The Waikato .with its many mixed farms, is also a striking advertisement to the value of closer settlement and the control of small holdings as an almost essential adjunct to intennient point of view. AN AUCKLANDER’S SUGGESTION It has taken Aucklanders to bring forward a suggestion which seems the most worthy of consideration from a closer settlement and land developslve farming and increased production. LESSONS OF THE PAST In their pleas for land sub-division in other parts of the Dominion deputations to the Minister of Lands have concentrated on asking for the cutting up of large improved holdings. They have stressed the point that not only would production increase in such instances. but the land would support a greatly increased population and would allow opportunity for many young men at present unable to take up land on their own account to become owner farmers. This would certainly be possible bur. the deputations have a happy knack of overlooking the difficulties confronting such a proposal. Increased production does follow closer settlement but the experience of recent years has proved that there are some classes of country which, under existing conditions, it is not prolltable to handle. Highlypriced improved country has certainly proved bad buying during the last decade, and certain classes of bush lands have also been found to present difficulties not worth while tackling on the face of present market values. Notable instances to the point are to be found in land similar to the deteriorated hill country of the West Coast of the South Island and parts of the King County and Urewera County. The findings of a sub-committee set up subsequent to the holding of a conference during Royal Show Week on land settlement have been voiced by I Mr. M. G. McArthur in two short sentences. “Auckland province,” he says, | contains millions of acres of soI called waste land,, much of which

has been proved to respond to efforts of practical farmers. Surely it should be practicable to expedite the work of investigating the possibility of settling and developing this country?” Undoubtedly this suggestion is well worth the closest consideration for the so-called waste lands of this province possess untold possibilities, and it is inevitable that some day they will contribute much towards the prosperity of this Dominion. IN OTHER LANDS Men in other lands have reaped rich rewards as a result of developing their seemingly waste areas. In Denmark and Holland poor low-lying sand areas have been reclaimed from the sea; in Ireland deep bogs and poor rocky hill-

sides have been brought into a state of profitable occupation; in the United State, vast areas of arid desert have been irrigated and now support hundreds of satisfied farmers. In all parts of the world it has been proved that practically any class of soil, provided it receives a certain amount of rain and sun, will respond to cultivation. Surely, therefore, New Zealanders, with land already proved worthy of development, are not going to lag behind merely through want of initiative and enterprise conducted through proper channels! Auckland, with the millions of acres of country behind it has hardly tapped the vast resources of pastoral and agricultural land which must inevitably provide homes for thousands of prosperous settlers.