Closer Land Settlement

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 72, 18 December 1935, Page 13

Closer Land Settlement

Sir, —The lengthy discussion on the question of the unattractiveness of workin the country has hitherto failed to reveal one of the most serious drawbacks to farm labour as an occupation. Many farmers have themselves admitted that wages, hours and conditions of work are frequently most unjust, inconsiderate and almost inhuman. But perhaps its worst feature is the fact that, under the conditions ruling in recent years, farm labour is a hopelessly “dead-end” occupation. Not only is there no continuity of employment—for the best of shepherds is easily and promptly replaced when his activity lessens —and on the wages paid there is no chance of saving for his old age; but with no policy of closer settlement and the land ballot, the average farm worker cannot hope to make a start on his own account. Most men who take an interest in thenwork or in stock hope to have a place and a home of their own some day. Not only are there thousands of eons of farmers, keen agriculturists, shepherds and dairymen, who are satisfied with or prefer a life in the country, but numbers of town youths would be attracted by farm life if it led to anything or gave promise of ownership of a farm. But without considerable capital there is at present no such hope. Governments have of recent years practically shut down on closer settlement. During the late slump they missed golden opportunities of acquiring good land cheaply; but successive Ministers of Lands refused to consider exercising the compulsory acquisition clauses of the Land Act to purchase country suitable for subdivision that was offered at bedrock prices, or even to throw open for ballot lands that they had available. The constantly repeated parrot-cry that “the farmers are bankrupt,” which on examination proves to hare been largely unjustified, gave the Government stage fright. But the farming industry is unique in one respect, that it attracts people quite apart from its money-mak-ing aspect: it is a pleasant life to many men and women who prefer open air ami rural surroundings to the attractions of town. And, though hard at times, it is unprofitable only to those who have paid too dearly for land and stock, or who are really bad farmers. And even these are now protected and nursed agaiust exploitation or even against pressure from just creditors or poor mortgagees. So the farmer’s lot is not entirely unhappy. But until a new policy of settlement is inaugurated to give hope to the youths of this country, the farmer is not going to get a continuance of cheap labour. As Mr. Edward Newman, chairman of trustees of Flock House, said in his annual address, "There is plenty of good land held in large blocks by men who have had the cream of production, but who must now make way for the present generation; they must recognise that their day is past.” He spoke as one of them. Let such land be thrown open to ballot to-day, and no fear of cost of production, or of over-production, will stop the rush of capable applicants, who under modern scientific methods of farming will soon prove their worth and the benefit to New Zealand.—I am, etc., „

CHARLES G. BLOORE. Wellington, December 16.