SMALL FARMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 190, 14 August 1933, Page 8

SMALL FARMS.

MANY APPLICATIONS WAITING Delay in settling the 12,000 applicants' for small farms under the Government scheme was discussed at the last meeting of the New Zealand Small Farms League, when tho serious financial loss inflicted upon applicants by the delay was emphasised. One speaker said he secured the offer of a desirable area, and tho Government insisted on a 10 weeks' option from the owner. That was over a month ago, but the land had not even been inspected yet. If eventually it was rejected he would have to start all over again. Mr. Davies said the chief attention was being devoted to remote areas. That meant heavy freightage for manures in and produce out. There was abundant land near the towns that could and should be used first. The president, Mr. Arthur Sainsbury, said the most disappointing development appeared to be the apparent tendency to develop large blocks by camps of relief workers with right to select the farmlets, neglecting the 12,000 direct applicants. Many applicants had made great sacrifices to stay off the relief "fund, and it might become a temptation to the Government to leave them there and deal instead with other men who were costing them money. They must, however, concede that the policy of the plan itself had improved considerably. Beginning with a 10-acro ideai it had expanded to real man-sized farms, with equipment and other backing that was generous. That, however, was useless if the 12,000 applicants were not getting farms offered to them at all. .

It was decided to appeal to applicants to organise, and also to seek closer touch and co-operation with +he authorities.