SMALL-FARM PLAN

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 223, 16 June 1932, Page 8

SMALL-FARM PLAN

Progress of the Scheme WIDESPREAD SUPPORT Many Sections Secured advisory committees Considerable progress has been made during the past few weeks with the development of the small farm plan for the settlement of unemployed married men and their families, according to a statement made bv the Minister of Employment, Kt. lion. J. G. Coates, in the course of an interview yesterday. Although it was emphasised by the Minister that the full results of the settlement scheme would naturally not become apparent in the immediate future, he said enough progress had been made to show that the plan possessed considerable possibilities for the placing of the unemployed into really productive work, which would benefit not only themselves but the country as a whole. , The manner in which the scheme haa appealed to the country generally, and to the farming community in particular, which was obviously in a position to judge its potentialities, was illustrated by the response which had been made for co-operation in carrying the project through. The result was that up to the present the Government had been able to place in hand the work for the construction of about 300 of the specially-designed cottages which were to be placed on the allotments, and these would be sent to the localities where they were to be used as soon as they were completed. Advertising Repaid. In the first instance, there had been some criticism of the fact that the Governmetn had advertised the scheme, but the expenditure in this direction would be repaid many times over. In gifts of land alone the Government had accepted entirely free of cost holdings valued at several times the cost of the original advertising. A considerable amount of land had been handed over to the Government for periods up to 10 years free of rent, the State receiving an option to purchase at any time within that period at a very low valuation. The details connected with the settlement of the unemployed were being handled by the Department of Agriculture, and a widespread organisation had been established by the department with a view to expediting the prosecution of the work. The men to be placed on the allotments would be selected with a view to securing suitable settlers, and although care would be taken to see that men likely to prove a failure would.not be sent to the country, everything would bo done to give those willing to take up the work a real chance to get ;iway from the cities and enter upon employment that offered far better returns than could be secured in the urban areas at the present time. To the limit of the finance available, and the extent to which the Department of Agriculture and farmers generally could help, the new settlers would be given every assistance to make a success of their venture. It was most gratifying to find that the farming community had accepted the scheme as a sound proposition of permanent value. Services of Farmers. L'p to the present it. was estimated that 1000 farmers had offered their services as members of the advisory committees which were ■to be set up throughout the Dominion, and which would work in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture. The great majority of these farmers were prominent men in their districts, and their co-operation would be of great value. Although it was premature to detail the activities these committees would undertake, it was expected they would do valuable work in coordinating the settlement in various districts, and thus prevent the allotment scheme from being a plan merely for the isolated settlement of individual families. With the advice of these farmers, and that of the department, the settlers would find they would not be left entirely to their own resources. It was not to be expected that the new settlers would become self-support-ing immediately. The object was first of all to provide them with housing, and to give them, say, a cow, and a start in the growing of vegetables and other things. The expert advice of the department's field inspectors would be available to them as far as cultivation and other activities on their properties were concerned, and as had been stated previously, the settlers would probably find it advantageous to work for nearby farmers in return for considerations from them. Leasing of Properties. Naturally there would not be sufficient gifts of land to cover all requirements, and the Government was going ahead with the selection of suitable properties whicli would be leased. Provision would be made for the sustenance of men who could not make a living from the start. Every case would be treated on its merits, for it was obvious that requirements would differ considerably. The organisation had progressed more rapidly in the North Island, although excellent work was being done in the South Island. Final arrangements were being made at present for taking over a total of 70 allotments, and negotiations were taking place for the requisition of many more. Numerous offers of good land were being made daily, and it was expected that from now on arrangements would bo made for the taking over of about 60 allotments a week. For the most part the Government was arranging for leases of from five to 10 years, but in a number of instances the farmers had offered the land rent free for five or 10 years. Much organisation had yet to be done, the Minister added, but from the progress made the future of the scheme as a whole showed great promise. If the Government could continue to secure co-operation on the scale already offered, its confidence in the success of the project would warrant it being pushed forward until several thousand unemployed married men had been transferred from the cities to the country.