BACKBLOCKS SETTLERS

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1926, Page 15

BACKBLOCKS SETTLERS

ACUTE HARDSHIPS ENDURED. MANY LEAVING THEIR EARMS. Wanganui, Nov. 24. A meeting of local land and eFtate agents was held to-day to discuss the very serioiis petition which has arisen in connection with many of the farmers in the backblocks who have taken up virgin land. Quite a number of them have been forced to walk off their properties after many years of toil, and having sunk their all in a futile endeavour to pay overdue interest and also to the impossibility of renewing mortgages. Mr. Tancred Cooper presided over a large attendance. There were also present the Hon. E. Newman, M.L.C., and Mr. H. G. Dickie. MP. Mr. F. Bruce (Marron) read a lengthy paper pointing out the need for trying to meet the difficulties of men who took up second and third-class virgin land direct from the Crown or Natives, and after many years’ toil and sacrifice of pleasure were compelled, for want of further capital, to assist in preventing their lands from deterioration, to forfeit their holdings to their mortgagees. Mr. Dickie said it was not lack of capital that had caused the position. It was the second and third growth that had brought about the deplorable state of affairs. It was a serious problem, and one that bristled with difficulties as far as the Government was concerned. The speaker said he would sooner keep an original man on the land than see another come along and rake over the property. There were 1157 applications for assistance from people on the land. The Government had appointed land boards and they were doing good work. Proceeding, the speaker said there was no cheap money in the world to-day. To his mind they should write off ail the unimproved value on the land. The original man who went on the land deserved every consideration. In his opinion it was a matter for a conference between the interested parties to see if they could devise some scheme to eradicate the position. In conclusion, Mr. Dickie said that some people did not, in a large number of cases, buy suitable stock for their farms, and they were consequently under a great disadvantage. He would be only too pleased to do all he could to help them. The Hon. E. Newman said it was heartbreaking to see such numbers of splendid settlers being driven off farms. The whole crux of the position, to his mind, was on account of the backblock farmers not having good metalled roads over which to convey their produce to the cities. The speaker said the policy of the Government in making first-class motor roads to the cities and open country before the back lands had been opened up w'ith good metalled roads was absolutely wrong and should never have been agreed to. It was also wrong from an economic viewpoint. The people of New Zealand have got to learn how much they depend upon the producers. Backblock settlements had been starved for money for roads and bridges and other necessities of life, while money has been poured into th© towns and cities and expended upon works which should have been held up. The Government should be urged to oppose any increase in the Customs tariff and to institute a purely protective tariff. Proceeding, the speaker said metalled roads were of first importance. In conclusion, the speaker said there- would soon be plenty of buyers for sheep and cattle in the country at present prices. The fall in the price of stock will bring, about this demand, he concluded. The following resolution was carried: ‘That this association of land agents, being representatives of the districts from Wanganui to Palmerston North on one side, and from Wangapui io Hawera on the other, as well as a large district on the Main Trunk line, recommends 'to the various chambers of commerce, farmers’ unions, A. and P. associations, and labour unions in their respective districts, the earnest consideration of the vital matters affecting the backblocks settlers on second and third-class lands, which are rapidly deteriorating, and prompt action be taken by the Government to keep settlers from leaving their holdings.