DISCUSSION. CCVII. 
The extracts I have quoted are clearly a warning to us 
to go slowly. In the semi-arid regions suchas the greater 
part of this State, the settler only requires the water now 
and again for ordinary pastoral or farming purposes, and it 
would be very difficult to make the works pay under exist- 
ing conditions, but if the settler were made to pay for the 
water every year, he would be compelled to make full use 
of it by altering his methods, and the only way to accomplish 
that would be by levying a rate on the assessed value of the 
property or making a charge at so much per acre; the 
result would be that a higher system of culture would be 
adopted and a closer settlement of the country. 
lf we do not get water conservation and irrigation works 
carried out in the near future, not only can we never hope 
to increase the population of the interior, but we cannot 
even retain the population that is there now. I think the 
time has arrived for definite action to be taken and for the 
settlers on the land to act for themselves and prove their 
self reliance and ability without leaning on the Government. 
The object of the Royal Society in getting these papers 
read was to ventilate the subject and to educate the public 
up to the great necessity for some action being taken by 
carrying out the object lesson suggested by Colonel Home 
at the same time bearing in mind the motto ‘ Festina 
lente.”’ 
