UNEMPLOYED LANDS

Evening Star, Issue 20253, 14 August 1929, Page 2

UNEMPLOYED LANDS

PROSPECTS OF SUCCESS SETTLERS MUST BE FINANCED [From Ope PjLULiambktaet Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 13. Details are. given in the annual report on Crown lands settlement of tho plans adopted to develop areas hitherto untouched, following a conference of Crown Lands Commissioners, which reviewed the whole land settlement question. These officials were requested by the, Minister of Lands to select the areas of undeveloped Crown lands suitable for subdivision in their districts, and carry out the necessary surveys, so that 'settlement could be proceeded with if Parliament approved of the provision of the necessary finance. At the present' time the department has no express authority to expend funds in preparing Crown lands for occupation, or in making advances to settlers for improvements required in the initial stages of breaking in their holdings, and it is desired to improve tho'position in that respect. It is considered, adds tho report, that there arc in some districts largo areas of unimproved land, mostly pumice and gum country, which could be profitably occupied now that tho value of top-dressing for that class of land is becoming more fully understood. Most of it is land requiring fairly close settlement, so as to allow of the inten sive farming of every section, and it is hoped that, as the result of special investigations, several blocks suitable for group settlement will bo found.

A topographical survey of a block in the Taupo-Rotorua district is being undertaken by. the department. When the survey has been completed the area will be developed for settlement to a certain extent before being opened for selection; and it is hoped to proceed on similar lines with blocks in other parts of the dominion. This will enable the incoming tenant to obtain some return from His and from the beginning, and he will then be in a bettor position to proceed with the improvement of the remainder of his section. The land concerned is at present in fern and scrub, and a good deal is ploughable country. The success of the scheme will also largely depend upon suitable finance being provided to assist settlers in their farming operations FARMING CAPITAL. Another reference to the necessity of providing some initial capital for those taking up Crown lands appears in tho same report, which points out that, in throwing open areas for selection last year, it has again been found that many persons desirous of selecting Crown sections had little or no capital available, and it is, of course, difficult for the department to place such applicants satisfactorily Under tiro existing law applicants must be in a position to deposit the first half-year’s rent, or an instalment, and they must also satisfy the land boards that they have a reasonable prospect of being in a position to improve and stock the land they wish to select. “ Unless, therefore, an applicant possesses a small amount «n capital, or is in a position to raise the sumo, it is not at present possible for the department to assist him in his desire to settle on the land. There are doubtless many men of sound experience who are grievously handicapped by the lack of oven a small amount of capital, and it may yet be possible »o devise some means of assisting these to obtain farms of their own.” Tho answer to tin’s official suggestion 's found in the Budget proposal setting aside five millions for financing settlement, apart from land acquisition.