CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 290, 14 September 1915, Page 7

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER. A deputation from the Taihapo Chamber of Commerce waited upon,the Premier (Hon. W. P. Massey) at Taihape yesterday morning with regard to the purchase of land in this district by the Crown for the purpose of closer settlement. Mr. A. James (President), in outlining the objects of the deputation, said there had been considerable I agitation for land in this district lor I closer settlement. There were several large holdings within a short distance of Taihapc, owned by Messrs. Batley, Morrison, and Studholrae. The Chamber had written to those landowners, asking them if they would be willing to dispose of their properties to the I Crown for settlement purposes, but so ! far they had only received one reply, I from Mr. Batley, and that was in the negative. He would point out that up to the boundary of the land in question, the Crown had cut the land into areas of 90 acres of so, and many families were now living on the sections. He did not hold with cutting the land into small areas, but when adjacent land returned a livlihood, they, felt sure the closer settlement blocks advocated would also do so. The Iroublt was that a great part of the land was under Natitve lease.. He would like to know if there was any machinery by which they might procure the land. The lands were highly suitable U closer settlement and they craved the assistance of the Government to remove an object which was regarded as detrimental to the progress of the ißstrict.

Mr. J. P. Aldridge a member of the deputation, also spoke, and advocated tlie urgent need for the opening up of these area. Mr. Massey, in reply, said that matters dealing with land settlement had to be dealt with by the Land Settlement Board. The Board inspected the property, valued it, etc., and then their report was submitted to himself, as Minister for Lands The question of Native lease was a, very difficult one. In many cases there were a great number of Natives who had an interest in one area of land. He would note the request of the deputation, end would get a report on the matter from Mr. 111101110. his responsible officer. He was sorry they had to slow down a little in closer settlement matters, owing to their finances. They did not know when the war would cease, and they might need all the available

money for defence. He realised the urgency of land settlement, and as soon as the war was over he felt it would be the duty of the Government to promote rural settlement. Mr. James, in thanking the Premier, stated that the Chamber had no desire to take money for land settlement while it was needed for defence, lie thanked Mr. Massey for his offer to have a report prepared by Mr Ritchie. The deputation then withdrew.