Mr Nordmeyer On Tenure Of Farms

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30802, 14 July 1965, Page 1

Mr Nordmeyer On Tenure Of Farms

The one man-one farm concept should be examined to see whether it was the best means of attaining maximum efficient production, suggested the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nordmeyer) when he addressed the Canterbury branch of the Economic Society last evening on economic planning.

Whatever method of landholding gave the best results was the method that in longterm planning should be encouraged, he said. The form of land tenure should not necessarily be that which brought the best results for the individual, said Mr Nordmeyer, but that which brought the best results for the nation. “The one man-one farm concept is not necessarily wrong, but New Zealand must attain maximum efficient production,” said Mr Nordmeyer. He understood, said Mr Nordmeyer, that in the United States companies owned 12 per cent of farms, held 40 per cent of farm land, produced 60 per cent of farm output, and employed 70 per cent of the total employed labour.

“I am not saying that this is necessarily the system we should import into New Zealand, but I am saying we cannot afford to disregard what is happening in other countries,” he said. “We should plan to ensure that our method of farming is the method that is best for New Zealand as a whole, and achieves the best, results.” Mr Nordmeyer said he thought it a pity that those most anxious to ensur:* increased farm production

should imagine that the only way to do so was to diminish the rate of industrial expansion in New Zealand. “I believe the two must be complementary.” said Mr Nordmeyer. “It is possible that much increased farm production can occur simultaneously with increased industrial production."

Because of this it was a mistake that agricultural and industrial development conferences had been held separately.