PROVINCIAL and COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 98, 20 January 1926, Page 4

PROVINCIAL and COUNTRY NEWS

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

LAND VALUES

“THINGS LOOKING BETTER '

INFLUENCE OF RAILWAY DEVIATION

Palmerston North, January 19.

With .1 view to ascertaining tlie condition ol the land and estate market at the present time, a Dominion representative approached a number of prominent agents in Palmerston North to-day. “Rural lands are going to be slow of sale for some time,” was one agent’s remark. “Prices arc not. such as to suit buyers in most cases —they are asking too much, and prospective buyers won’t pay it. They are afraid to venture.” He went on to state that both wool and butter were looking better as regards standardisation, and he thought that as conditions were bettered so. would inquiries as to land increase. “It is three years now since anything has been done in farm lands, but things arc improving,” he said. “As for sheep land, there is a better demand for this just now, and things in that direction arc taking on a different complexion, although buyers are a bit dubious. The Palmerston North district, of course, is principally dairying in its activities, and our sheep land is limited indeed—to Fitzherbert and Pohangina principally. It is not a centre for sheep.” However, he added the market for sheep land was looking better, and he expected the demand for farm lauds in 1926 to be -much better than last year. One agent stated that Palmerston North as a town had grown quickly of late, and, still forging ahead, presented always a set demand for house pro-. perties. In fact, there was a big run on I sections by people, many of whom were > taking advantage of the Government advances and building their own homes. An agent touched upon the effect upon the land market of the proposed railway deviation, stating that there was still some doubt in the minds of some people as to what was actually going to happen in that direction. There had been a number of inquiries as to land, but when prospective buyers were satisfied about things, then the market would be brighter. There were genuine business people who were contemplating the erection of factories on the outskirts of the borough, but they had decided not to do anything definite until they saw definite evidence of the deviation.

Another agent remarked that the land business generally was improving and getting back to normal. A noticeable feature was adjustment by the house builder of his taste to his pocket, a more regular style of residence being now preferred to a pretentious house really beyond his means, as had rather been the case in the past.

SHORTAGE OF WORK

NOTHING OFFERING FOR

UNEMPLOYED

“Things arc in a pretty bad way at the present time,” was the reply given to a Dominion reporter who inquired at the Department of Labour as to unemployed. The official stated that after the holidays, with the working year getting into swing, numerous inquiries for work were now coming in to the Public Works Office. The day previously there had been twelve inquiries for positions—an unusually large demand for one day. Upon finding that there was no work offering, the applicants just passed on, declining to leave thennames, as they considered it would avail them nothing. "Whv?” queried the reporter. “Because there is nothing to give them, and there seems to be nothing in view,” was the reply. “We have not had anv work in for a long time.” The records show that during December there were 30 inquiries for positions, but there were actually more than this, owing to the fact that many did not leave their names. The demand was in the main for unskilled labour—of which, unfortunately, there was none offering. Those seeking employment were prepared to take anything.