SMALL HOLDINGS

Evening Star, Issue 21092, 3 May 1932, Page 13

SMALL HOLDINGS

WORK PLANS FOR MARRIED MEN COMPLETE A RUSK FOR ALLOTMENTS [Feou Oo» Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, May 2. Tiie plan for placing unemployed married men and their families on small farms in country districts, aided by the unemployment fund, has been finalised by Mr Coates, who, in an interview to-day, said that the best answer to criticism of the scheme was to be found in the rush of applications which had been received for allotments in the short period since the original announcement. Information concerning various aspects of the undertaking was given by the Minister. “The object,” he said, “is to give men with families the opportunity of becoming the owners of small areas of land in developed districts already provided with roads and social amenities —schools, etc. Each holding will be equipped w'ith a small cottage of the Public Works type.” The small farm holding would, wherever possible, bo a portion of an existing farm, ho said, and the co-operation of the present owner would be sought in providing the seeds and stock required—one or more cows, pigs, poultry—and in the loan of implements. This would enable the section holder to bring his land into early production, and thus supply his family with some of their food requirements. “ The plan is a twofold one,” added Mr Coates, “providing lor—(a) small holding of five to ten acres now forming part of existing farms, where the section holder may eventually acquire by lease or purchase a small farm ivith his original holding as part of it (with this end in view options will bo taken wherever possible over the laud adjacent to the first section); (b) holding from two acres upwards, so located that the holder will be at different times of the year able to procure some work on the surrounding farms and in the district generally, such holdings being chosen without special consideration as to whether more land is available for subsequent development. The Minister added that it was recognised that the new settler might not ia°all cases bo able to earn or produce a living at onco, and a reduced iclicr allowance would therefore be necessary in the early stages. The financial arrangements in connection with the holding, whether it be its purchase or lease, would be completed between the Government and the present owner before the section holder was placed, so that every man would know what Ins prospects might be in the luture. Jn all cases there would be security of tenure. ~ _ , . , Answering a question, Mr Coates said the apportionment of mortgages, rates, and taxes as between the main farm and that section of it to be made available to the new settler -would be arranged on an equitable basis. Ihe help and advice of the officers of the Agricultural Department would be available to section holders. The personal interest and co-operation of county councils and their officers was a most essential clement in the plan and it was hoped that from them and other leadlocal men small local committees would be set up to give help and advice.. _____