ROTORUA NEWS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 661, 13 May 1929, Page 16

ROTORUA NEWS

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING „ The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce decided, at its meeting last week, to withdraw from membership of the Bay of Plenty Development League. Mr. J. IST. McLean explained the work of the Rotorua-Taupo Progress League. He said a scheme had been set on foot to prepare a schedule of lands available in the district which were suitable lor settlement. It was suggested that all second-class land should be settled under the Homestead Act, such land to be to settlers willing to occupy it; ana. further, that any person taking up native land should be assisted by the Government to the extent of a twothirds advance. It was decided that the chamber join the Rotorua-Taupe Progness League. The delegates appointed were Messrs. G. H. French and J. N. McLean. It was agreed that the chamber sign the petition asking Parliament to inquire into the reasons for the abandonment of the Rotorua-Taupo railway, when all the reports from the commissions were favourable to its construction. It was agreed to support the Arawa Tobacco Growers’ Association in its request to the Minister of Agriculture to establish an experimental farm at Rotorua for the cultivation of tobacco. Mr. Keane said the crops grown by the natives this year were encouraging. The Government expert had reported very favourably on the soil and climatic conditions. Attention was drawn to the pending visit to Rotorua next month of about 900 farmers, in three parties. It was left in the hands of the executive to arrange for the visitors to inspect farms fn the district.