OUR IDLE LANDS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3195, 21 May 1909, Page 3

OUR IDLE LANDS.

WHY CANADA GOES AHEAD. During his recent trip abroad, Mr Archibald Clark, of Auckland, wo has just returned after a year's absence, .was particularly struck with the facilities offered by the Canadian Government to settlers, in contrast to the system that obtains in New Zealand. "In Canada," said Mr Clark to a "New Zealand Herald" representative, "the Government offers land to 'homesteaders' in areas of 160 acres each. They give the freehold at the end of three years, and the total fee charged is 10 dollars. Those taking up the lands have to erect a small house, and effect ■ a given amount of improvements, such as fencing and laying a certain area in grass. Hundreds of thousands of people are flocking into the country, both from Europe and America. - I was very much impressed with Canada. Last year was a record one, as to the output, and when I was there in the spring (June and July) there was every indication in the enormous corps of wheat and oats, that it would be a record. I could not help observing the facilities given to settlers there, and contrasting them with this Dominion, where we have such a vast area of uncocupied land in the hands of the Government, and practically in the hands of the natives. Whilst, like other old colonists, Ido not want to see any injustice done to the natives, I certainly think the time has arrived for some method, to be adopted of opening these lauds for settlement. I have two sons who ha«e taken up land in Canada, and when Ispoke to them of returning to New Zealand —which it was their original intention to do—they said that from what /they could learn of the state of affairs here, they had better prospects for tha immediate future in Canada. Since that time both my sons have taken up further noldings under purchase."