SMALL-FARMS SCHEME

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 114, 16 May 1934, Page 7

SMALL-FARMS SCHEME

CHANCE FOE UNEMPLOYED

"BETTER OFF IN COUNTRY"

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.!

HASTINGS, May 15.

"I am in full agreement that the land offers a major opportunity of overcoming the 'problem of unemployment, and. I am satisfied a man is better off .with a home in the country where he has a few acres of land than he is with a homo in town where ho has-to •pay rent," said the Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) in replying "to a deputation from the Mayor's Central Planning Comniittee in connection with the extension of the small-farms scheme in the Hastings district.

The experience of the Small-farms Board in connection with five-acra blocks, he said, had not been entirely aatisfactory, more particularly in dis» tricts where no seasonal work was available. In the main the five-acvu scheme had not. been a success, and io. many cases areas had had to be increased to enable holders to make even a partial living. The board had been endeavouring to establish men on holdings of sufficient area to enable them, to maintain their families. "Where fruit-growing was_ taken up a man could live.on a much..smaller area.

The question of weekly rental was important, and he regarded the amount of 10s that' was being paid here as satisfactory. If the- weekly rental of five to ten acres was in the vicinity of £1, it was getting too high. For that money ■ the Government was establishing men on areas of 100 acres whera they could maintain themselves.

Mr. • Ransom stated that success depended largely upon the personal element—an clement over which the board had little control. One speaker, said Mr. Ransom, had stated that without the help of.'.the tho committee could not do anything, but this he considered was not rieeessary. He cited a case in the "Waikato district where thoso responsible 'did not wait for the Government or the Unemployment Board, but got to work and raised £20,000 in cash, and .excellent work was being done there. : ■ OFFER TO ASSIST. : "The Government is being constantly criticised for interference in business, and on the other hand. we aro being urged to come in and take part," said-Mr. Ransom. "Any assistance I am able to give the committee I will be happy to give. I am satisfied that starting a canning factory would create a great deal of work.

"In regard to the control and conduct of these settlements, I agree that; there should be a local committee, as the personal touch is being lost through, their being run entirely by the Department. 1 '

Touching upon the question of finance,' Mr. Eansom said that issuing debentures would be a simple matter if they were, to be State guaranteed. In. carrying on the small-faimsi scheme the board had not been hampered with finance, and.he did not think-it would be in the future.. If settlement could be brought about without reference to the Government, it would be" a great deal better than settlement where tho public account was responsible for tho charges.

_ .The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Maddison), in thanking the Minister for receiving the deputation; saKL he was of opinion, that the Government ;sliould Set up an. advisory board to confer with the Unemployment Board on the question of unemployment.: Such a' board would give a big help' to tile Government ia this-important matter.