THE WASTT LANDS OF WAIAPU

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2530, 17 June 1909, Page 4

THE WASTT LANDS OF WAIAPU

It is with pleasure that- we draw attention to a petition which is about to 'be circulated in connection with the settling of tho AVftiapu Countv lands. Th<? wording of tho document, a copy of which appears in another column, explains quite clearly, the object of the petitioners, which is, briefly, to induce the Government to take some definite action in regard to the utilisation of the vast areas of fertile territory in the north-eastern portion q£ "this district, which at present aye Virtually unoccupied. Anyong. vTio is familiar with the con .jitlon oF affairs ruling north of the Waia.pu river knows that tlie Dominion as a whole is losing a tremendous amount of revenue annually by reason of the lands in that vieiilitv being allowed to remain unproductive, whereas they are capable of adding very materially to the wealth of the country. That they are practically wastc/T at present is due to the fact cinvE they are in the .hands of Natives who are unfitted to utilise them; but- who, under existing condition?-, V Alt not, if they would, dispose of Vht-m to Europeans. On finot'bt'f V/cbasiou we shall takh hn opportunity to refer more fully t 6 "this blatter, but in tho meantime we desire to commend the petition in question to the consideration of all who are concorned in the welfare of the ‘Poverty Bay district.