CROWN LANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1919, Page 6

CROWN LANDS.

MED FOR DEVELOPMENT. Wanganui, July 10. A conference of representatives of local bodies and the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday, when matters pertaining to the roading and pther public works in this district were'discussed, and the preliminary steps taken to get tt fair share of public money expended in the district. In the course of the discussion, the chairman, Mr. Ross (Waitotara County Council) declared that between 40 and 60 miles of the Wanganui area of land, about 68,000 acres, belonging to ,the Crown, was practically undeveloped and roadless. He pointed out the neglected Btate with regard to roads of the existing Crown settlements, some of which were settled 26 years ago, and were only beginning to receive road access Some of the settlers had been unable to get wool out for the last two seasons. He urged that the Public Works Department and the Lands and Survey Department should adopt a more progressive policy with regard to road work. He also urged that the Government should road' and develop the unoccupied block of land he referred to, which was of good quality, and that it should be roaded and* developed before it was opened up for settlement.

Mr, Veitch, M.P., remarked on the great need of land settlement, particularly for returned soldiers, and expressed the opinion that the activities of the Land Purchase Commissioners were creating a land boom. He advocated the opening np of the block mentioned above.