NO CONFISCATION

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1938, Page 11

NO CONFISCATION

Small Farms Scheme MR LANGSTONE’S CHALLENGE. AUCKLAND, May 19. A challenge to any critic to show where farmers had had their lands taken from them by the Government was issued by the Minister of Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone) in an address at Edgecumbe on the Government’s land settlement policy. He stated that there were hundreds of instances where the Government had gone to endless trouble and expense to keep the farmer on his land.

Mr Langstone said the land question was lhe most misunderstood problem in public life. His Department was at present forced to pursue a policy of rehabilitation of abandoned land to salvage as much of its securities as possible. This policy was now beginning to bear fruit. As an illustration, the Minister mentioned the Galatea Estate, of some 22,000 acres, which had cost to date about £200,000, and probably would require another £40,000 or £5),090. The stock-carrying capacity of the estate had been increased from 18.000 to 54,000 sheep. Two years ago the accumulated loss on th<* property was £6OOO, but this had been reduced to £3OOO, and it was hoped that this year the accumulated loss would be wiped out altogether. “In time, it is hoped to repay all the money owing' on th? estate so that, the Crown will have a definite asset.” added Mr Langstone “Thirtyfive sections have been leased to tenants, nnd the land values and some of the capital improvements written down.”

Mr Langstone said another case was Ngakuru Estate, where the writing down amounted to £17,G00--un.-doubtedly a windfall for the tenants, although they did not regard It as one. , . Dealing with the small farms development scheme, Mr Langstone said that on the 91 blocks there were 1194 men employed. On the 79,650 acres 57,615 sheep, 5322 cows, 4469 cattle, 359 horses, and 2520 pigs were carried, and the value of production_ had from £9347 in 1935 to £llO,OBB in 1938. “This makes the Department a real farming department familiar with all the difficulties peculiar to the industry.” he added. “Yet because of this critics, in their ignorance, say that the farms are being socialised.” _ _ “Dozens of land owners are offering their land to the State, but in most cases the price asked is too high and the land is unsuitable,” continued Mr Langstone. “So long as I can utilise idle Crown Lands they will be given first attention. However, should <ny urea of suitable size be offered at the rieht price I am prepared to buy. That cannot be called confiscation.”