LAND SETTLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 27, 1 February 1934, Page 9

LAND SETTLEMENT.

MR. BRYANT'S WORK. MINISTER IMPRESSED. SMAXiIj farm schemes. (From Our Own Correspondent.) CAMBRIDGE, Wednesday. Much impressed was the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, and party when, in continuation of their tour of the AVaikato, they inspected the progress of development of the-Waikato Land Settlement Society's block of 1376 acres at lloto-o-rangi, six miles from Cambridge town. The Ministerial party was mot by the promoter, Mr. D. V. Bryant, directors and several local body representatives, and a thorough inspection of the property was made. After lunch the party left for Whatawhata to inspect the society's settlement in that diet riot. Mr. Bryant paid tribute to the interest of the Minister and his Depa"tment in the society's movement. He said that after raising £20,000 by the generous support of many members of the public, the society purchased 3500 acres, and the cost of the two estates was ill the vicinity of 33/ per There were two homesteads on each property. It was the society's indention to subdivide the Roto-o-rangi block into 15 sections of about 50 acres, and perhaps later the hill portions would bo developed for slice]). Houses would be built on the 15 sections as soon as the survey was completed. The society would then have a ballot. Koiuling was a question that had to be faced, and they were hopeful of getting the Unemployment Board's assistance. The party's inspection showed that during the past two month? good progress has been made on the property, which was mostly under fern. Already 100 acres have been cleared and ploughed and crops are to be seen on parts of the property. The Minister congra tula ted the society on its ideals and objectives, and especially on tho progress made at Roto-o-Tangi. He was confident that when the peoplo of the AVfiikato mw the development of such areas others would come forward with their surplus wealth and assist the settlement movement. He much appreciated Mr. Bryant's contention that in these times people should help themselves instead of always appealing to the Government. "Beyond Experimental Stage." Mr. Ransom expressed tho opinion that the small farms- scheme was now beyond tho experimental stage and that it would ho a big factor in helping to solve the unemployment problem. Some peoplo had criticised the Government on its cautious policy, but it was imperative that land should be purchased and developed as economically as possible. It was tho hope of tho Small Farms Board to put men on s.-otions with a capacity of 35 to 40 cows with four-roomed homes and essentials at, say, £1200, or a rental comparable to that of a decent house in the towns. They were not going to rush on to the land market and make the mistakes associated with the rush to settle returned soldiers, after the war. Touching on the selection of men as prospective settlers, Mr. Ransom said the board seemed anxious to get men from the cities, to relievo the congestion, and it appeared there was some difficulty in getting men to leave tho cities. He intended asking, the board to vary its policy a little, so as to take more men from the country districts, .il-'v-ing experience of country conditions, they were more likely to he successful settlers. There were more areas suitable for small farms, and at a price, in tho Auckland Province than elsewhere, hut thev had to be careful to see that all parts of the Dominion were rriven equal opportunity in the matter of selection of) prospective settlers.