ON THE LAND

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 91, 14 October 1931, Page 4

ON THE LAND

HELP TO FARMERS

COTTAGE GROUP IDEA

OPENING VP NEW BLOCKS

Turning to the question of land production, Mr. Coates said that their first effort must be directed to see that the farms already occupied were enabled to absorb additional labour and to increase production. Everything that retarded the prosperity of the farmer added to unemployment; by helping the farmer they helped everyone in the country. "Already," he said, "the board has devised plans under which farmers may obtain additional and subsidised labour under Scheme 4 (a). The board desires that it should be for developmental work, but provided the labour is additional' to that which would otherwise be employed, and does not displace men already in employment, it may be used for productive work not entirely developmental. Under this scheme the board finds 10s per week for single men and 20s per week for married men, the farmer providing food and lodging. After being temporarily suspended, this scheme again operates as from Ist October. Under another plan—known as Scheme 4 (b) —we will assist in. developing farm lands on a contract basis; the Unemployment Board pays one-third of the wages of men engaged on contracts for developmental work on farms. It is open to any farmer-in New Zealand now to apply tor"- men under either of these schemes. For labour under Scheme 4 (a) they should get in touch with the nearest local unemployment committee or branch office of tho Labour Department, or the local postmaster; and for labour under Scheme 4 (b) they should apply to the Commissioner of Crown Lands for his district. OPENING UP NEW LAND. "Apart from existing farms, we must see to the bringing into cultivation of now land. In Consultation with my colleagues and their Departments, wo are examining afresh the possibilities o£ opening up blocks of Crown lands. I am pleased to be able to say that we have under review, with the intention of taking immediate action, a block of 48,000 acres; in another instance, an area of 20,000 acres now subject to flooding at high tides may be reclaimed. In still another case there is a possibility of reclaiming some 50,000 acres of first-class land.''

Beplying to an interjection, Mr. Coates said that the lands ho referred to were widely distributed between Central Otago, the middle district of Taupo,, and North Auckland. Other proposals were under consideration.