CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2497, 10 May 1909, Page 2

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

VIEWS OF A VICTORIAN

MINISTER

The Hon. H. McKenzie, Victorian Minister of Lands, who recently visited this, Dominion, was asked •on his return to Melbourne by an “Argus” representative whether closer settlement was proceeding rapidly in New Zealand? Mr. McKenzie said that, from what he had seen and learned it was going on satisfactorily. “They find in New Zealand,” lie said, “as we have m Victoria, that there has Seen a- great increase in the value of country land. Prices are high there] particularly in some cases, when you consider what lias to be done in clearing the land. I would not compare rates with those of \ ictoria, but they do not get the prices in New Zealand that have been paid in the Western districts here. C.oser settlement is much more advanced m Now Zealand than it is here, but you have to remember that the country lends itself to closer settlement more than V ictoria docs. Trouble witli drought is w*" known. The climate is magnificent, with a verv good rainfall, and tnoio 'is a good distribution of water everywhere. They have not to provide oi irrigation as we have to do. Then di ficultv is rather in getting, tlie watei a wav, and they have some big dlainage works. They obtain larger crops 1 have particulars oi crops oi poats yi 120 bushels to the acre; GO to SO bushels is an ordinary crop. They do not go in for wheat much, because oats is a more payable crop. It is very fertile country, and, as I- say, more adapted l l ; o closer settlement than } lctona. In;t .v various estates we visited the settle -. are doing well. AVe met many people who have gone on the land, conversed with them 'about the conditions on which they hold it, and the results of their working. In nearly every caee we found they had been very eiicchssiu., and. as a rule, had no complaint to make.’.’