SMALL FARM PLAN.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20550, 19 May 1932, Page 5

SMALL FARM PLAN.

OPERATION OF SCHEME. POPULAR MISCONCEPTIONS. The following statement on the Government's Small Farm Plan for the relief of unemployment is communicated by the Department of Agriculture: — It is being found that farmers and others intimately concerned believe that the Small Farm Plan includes proposals which really have no place in it. Hence the following indication as to what it is not proposed to do under the small farm' scheme may be of assistance in clarifying the position. Not a Village Settlement Scheme. First, the Small Farm Plan, as operating to-day, is not an application of the old village settlement scheme. It is not proposed to subdivide whole farms into five to 10 acres for holdings. Instead of bringing about the creation of groups of .small holdings, it is planned to have individual small holdings at some distance from one another, and. judiciously located so that each small.-farm settler will, if competent, be able to obtain a reasonable amount of labour throughout the year from neighbouring farmers. It is recognised that in occasional special circumstances a group of small farm settlers may* be desirable, but as a rule it is felt that such groups would lead to the glutting of the farm labour market in restricted districts, while farmers at a distance from the glutted districts would continue to have the labour difficulties that they have previously experienced. Small Farms not bole Source of Income. Second, from the foregoing, it is evident that there is no expectation that settlers on the small farms will generally make their living wholly frpm their holdings. It is held, however, that the production of the small holdings will be extremely useful in supplementing the earnings on neighbouring farms, and that in consequence of the returns from both sources, the small farm settler will be much better off than aro likely to be ■ for some years the casual workers located in towns. It is possible, of course, that some of the settlers on the small farms, by suitable specialisation, as for instance, in seed raising, poultry breeding, or branches of horticulture, may be able to earn a comfortable living wholly from their small farms, but the general success of the Small Farm Plan is not based on this possibility being generally realised. Fanners' Responsibility for Casual Labour. Third, a farmer in handing over a portion of his property for the purpose of the Small Farm Scheme does not thereby necessaHly undertake the responsibility of providing the settler on the small farm with the employment off his holding which is necessary to make his position satisfactory. Ordinarily the settler 011 the small farm will j count on getting labour from several I farmers in his. neighbourhood, although 1 in certain cases one neighbouring farmer may be able to provide him with all the labour that he wishes to undertake off his sinall holding. Fourth, farmers are not expected to tend indiscriminately implements, horsesy*etc., to settlers in small holdings in their neighbourhood. It is, however, considered that 'often'"implement work on small holdings-Mil be done by • labour by the siiiStffarmer on their larger farms and that; it will be possible to manipulate such exchange of services in a mutually advantageous manner. Business, Not Charity. Fifth, the Small Farm Scheme has not been lauuehed on the assumption that i the present farmers will give por- J tions of their farms for sinall farm | settlement purposes, though if individual farmers offer the'use of their land free of charge, it will, if suitablo for the purpose, be gladly accepted. It is proposed as far as possible to lease the required land with a reasonable security of tenure for the. settlers on the small farms, and the right of purchase of this can be arranged. Selection of Suitable Settlers. Sixth, to qualify as a settlor under the Small Farm Scheme, it is not sufficient merely to be registered as. a married unemployed wprkcr. The greatest possible care will be taken to. select as settlers on the small holdings men of good character, whose industry and ability in farming work have been demonstrated. It is felt that the scheme would fail if the settlers were not competent and' willing to give a fair day's work for a fair day's pay. As far as possible the men mostly directly interested in any particular small holding will participate in the selection of the worker who is to occupy it. Valuation Safeguards. Seventh, some seem to fear that an endeavour will be made to secure land for the scheme on an unduly low valuation based on present low values of farm produce. Actually the local advisory committees of'farmers which are being formed will be consulted in respect to valuations, and the work ot such committees should 1 lead to tlio avoidance equally of too low and ot too high values. Any one who considers the ■ scheme calls for adverse criticism is asked to j submit his views to the Department ot Agriculture in order that they may be considered. The constructive critic m this matter may carry out a national service. .