GIVEN WEEK TO SELL

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30769, 5 June 1965, Page 3

GIVEN WEEK TO SELL

Farmers Living On Steelworks’ Site (-Yew Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 4. Four farmers at Glenbrook, four miles north of Waiuku, have been given until next Friday to accept a New Zealand Steel Company offer for their land, which is wanted for the heart of the site of the new £56 million steel industrv.

I he fanners have been told by the Ministry of Works, which is carrying out land negotiations for the company, that if they do not sell, the land will be taken compulsorily.

In Wellington tonight, the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall) said he knew the letters were being sent, but he did not know what final date had been set before compulsory purchase.

“All I can say is that I hope the New Zealand Steel Company offer for their land will be accepted because the Government has always regretted taking land compulsorily,” he said.

“I know very generous offers have been made for the land—considerably in excess of the market value of the farmland,” said Mr Marshall. Asked if the Steel Company’s offer was at a uniform price an acre Mr Marshall replied: “You could say that on that basis, the offers were roughly the same.” Sir Woolf Fisher, chairman of the company, said tonight: “The only comment I have to make is that I consider the owners of the properties have been given a generous offer.” He said he could not comment on what the letter said about the possibility of compulsory purchase. “Not Pleasant” Mrs R. R. Williams, wife of one of the farmers at Glenbrook. confirmed that her husband had received one of the letters. “It was not the most pleasant.” she said. “We’ve never done business like this before.” Her husband is away for the week-end. Another farmer. Mr K. Williams, said: “I have no comment at this stage. It’s in the hands of the lawyers.” Mr P. L. Friedrich and the other farmer concerned were not available tonight to comment.

About 950 acres of land are involved in the negotiations at Glenbrook, and it is thought that at least £250,000 is in-

I volved in the negotiations. The total area includes eight farms around the central area which, it is understood. will not be required immediately and will be offered ; for farming on lease for up to five years to the present occupiers. j One of these farmers, Mr ; H Semmens, said tonight that j he had been told verbally that unless agreement could be I reached his 80 acres would be [taken compulsorily. “I think they ought to [finalise matters with these four first before dealing with the rest of us,” he said. Mr Semmens said that he and his wife had lived 25) years on the farm and did not; want to leave. “We have built the house we wanted. We have beautiIful views of the harbour and j 1 had settled to stay here [until I was carried out boots I first,” he said.

“We don't want to hold up progress. We know this steel mill is of national importance. But it’s wrong to wave the Public Works Act at us for a company controlled by private enterprise.” Mr Semmens said he was afraid that his land, bought by the acre, would be sold again by the foot for subsidiary industries. Mr Semmens denied that the farmers were asking “ridiculous prices” for their land, as had been claimed.

Approaches on behalf of the Steel Company have also been made to about six farmers who have land south of Waiuku, near the ironsands deposits at the Waikato North Head.

But it is likely that any land bought here will be used for the plant necessary to separate the iron and sand of the raw material. The company hopes to start the development of the main steel mill site in October.

The target date for the production of steel is 1968.