REPAIR THE GAPS.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 March 1919, Page 4

REPAIR TH E GAPS.

AND INCREASED POPULATION. THE LAND PROBLEM. " CULTIVATE OK GET OUT." CHRI&TCHURCM, March. 21 Speaking at the Canterbury Progress League function, the Hon. (>. \\. Kussell said Christchurch, by its environments, its surroi'udings, its institutions and its all-round attractions presented a field for persons .to conxe with their families and settle not possessed by any other part of the Dominion, hut. when he came to look on the rural districts of Canterbury extending from ivaikoura to Waitaki, there was room for comment. The whole population did not exceed 250,000. They should ask themselves this question whether, with all the advantages of early settlement, the province had been made what it might cany three or four times the popucarry( three or four times the population and the Progress League should keep that matter well to the fore. With the view of encouraging greater population iand endeavouring to give the province its proper place in the destinY of the country, tluye must be closer settlement for one thing. It was not a question of .ownership of land only, but as to its profitable occupation. Any man, in future, who held land near a railway line, and did not cultivate it adequately was failing in his duty nd it would be for the Government to take some action. The days of big holdings must also end, if they were not cultivated as the requirements of the Dominion demanded. Before the war 210.000 men were engaged ia the agricultural and pastoral industry. Of that number many had gone to the war, and many would not return. The question before the country was as to how to repair the gaps and increase population. Men in other parts had seen what a splendid soldier the New Zealander was, and ■'.many would no doubt wish to come to a country that bred such men. But he believed the best population New Zealand, could have was flat which it produced itself. Concessions must not be given to outsiders before those inside had first benefited. The census of 1917 had disclosed that 54 per cent. of the population lived in the cities and towns. This created a problem that was significant. Were there any means by which the boys of the towns and cities could be shifted out and turned into country mea? He had in mind the establishment of farms near towns, where boys cou'l T e tafcon t". see the actual conditions of taken to see the actual conditions of farm life, with a view to encau-aging them to follow agricultural and pastoral pursuit.'