The Daily News. SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1918. DEVELOPMENT OF WASTE LANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1918. DEVELOPMENT OF WASTE LANDS.

Faced with enormous financial liabilities arising out of the Avar, there is a very urgent necessity for the Government of the Dominion utilising as speedily as possible the large areas of Crown and Native lands which at present are unproductive. The "go slow" policy of the Government and its invariable tendency to pursue the line of least resistance do not offer much hope of the adaption of measures which will result in that greatly increased production which is so essential if we are to meet, without undue strain, the heavy burdens of the future, It is considered that the time has arrived when every acre of land in New Zealand should be brought into productivity, except such of the barren and unprofitable portions that will not repay for cultivating. It will cost a very large sum for roading, clearing, grassing and fencing, but under the pressure of circumstances the outlay must be regarded as absolutely necessary, besides being thoroughly reproductive, but it will require a bolder policy than the present Government bus ever exhibited. No wSßo"»«a»'to land utilisation can orroi ■■■> claims of our returned soldier ;> r the Government has undertaken to provide land for every returned man

desirous oi' making a living thereon, an important stipulation being that the land shall be allotted on reasonable terms. There are only three courses open for the Government to take in providing the land which has been thus promised. It must either be Crown land, Native land, or by purchase oi' improved land. The stress of circumstances demands bringing into productivity all suitable Crown and Native land, so that the returned soldiers should play an important part in this development, two objects being achieved thereby. It is also obvious that many of the returned men will not be fit to tackle large areas of rough land, but will require small areas of improved land, such as can only be obtained by purchase and they must be near some town and railway. Sections of this description will necessarily be very costly and impose on the holders the utmost activity and perseverance in order to get a comfortable living therefrom. The purchase price will assuredly be high, for land of this sort has been rising in value for some time past and has now become abnormally inflated, so that the rental would be correspondingly heavy. In view of these circumstances the policy of the Government is naturally awaited with much interest, as well as concern. If we are to regard a recent statement by the Minister of Lands as an indication of what may be expected, there will certainly be a grave situation created that will prevent the realisation of the two great economic movements which are so vitally necessary to the welfare of the country. The Minister declared that the cutting up of private estates and runs is exactly the policy of the Government. This implies the avoidance of bringing into cultivation with all speed of the waste Crown and Native lands. It has been, stated that two-thirds of the North Island is uncultivated and unproductive, but from this must be deducted considerable areas that at present will not pay to bring into cultivation. There is, however, a great deal of land that when means of access are provided should prove a welcome addition to the productive area of the Dominion, but there must be provision for roads and bridges, and these are in the province of the Public Works Department which is starved for want of funds. If we regard this land question from an economic point of view it will be clearly evident that the main effort of the Government should be directed to the utilisation of waste lands, instead of increasing the national debt by purchasing private land at inflated prices. There would not only be a great saving of money by adopting this course, bat a large amount of employment would be found, the population would increase and the output of produce would be growing to its proper proportion. On the other hand the purchase of improved land is a smooth and easy process, but the cost, especially when buildings and subdivisions are taken into account, might be extravagant. The Govememnt has let this land provision scheme slide for so long that unless it is taken in hand promptly and seriously there will be no alternative bnt to cut tip large estates. Although' those estates must sooner or later be brought under closer settlement the need for developing the uncultivated lands is urgent in the best interests of the Dominion, and by delaying this work the Government is pursuing a policy that is unstatesmanlike and unsound. The pressure of public opinion is required to galvanise activity into the Government.