ONLY ‘GENUINE’ FARMERS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30559, 30 September 1964, Page 1

ONLY ‘GENUINE’ FARMERS

Speaking during the discussion on the Lands and Survey Estimates, Mr Connelly asked the Minister of Lands (Mr Gerard) what his view was of the opinion expressed at a provincial meeting of Federated Farmers, that much first-class land which could be brought into production was lying idle and derelict. “If such land was available, it could be brought into production without any Government expenditure on breaking in,” Mr Connelly said.

“It has been said in ‘Straight Furrow’ that, with the present high cost of farming, the day was not far distant when only qualified men should receive assistance to go on the land.” . It had been reported by a North Canterbury correspondent, however, that keen

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 29. To ensure the best results from the exploitation of land, the best land had to be used with the genuine farmer in control, said Mr M. A. Connelly (Opp., Riccarton) in Parliament tonight.

competition to buy farm land was forcing prices up above the land’s productive value, and that much of the buying strength was coming from persons unqualified to farm the land they purchased. “They have bought with the intention of selling later to make a capital gain,” Mr Connelly said. “The genuine farmer is not getting the opportunity to farm the land. “What proposals has the Government to see that good farm land is brought into production, and that genuine farmers are given the opportunity to farm?” Replying later, Mr Gerard said he was well aware of the problem. It was difficult to legislate to cover all cases, but he agreed in general terms with Mr Connelly.