SUBDIVISION OF LAND.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 16 August 1929, Page 6

SUBDIVISION OF LAND.

FARMERS DISCUSS PROBLEM. The subject of small farms was discussed during the debate on taxation at the Farmers’ Union meeting at Haworn yesterday. Mr E. J. Betts said that properties were being steadily cut up. He could recall the time when there were only four estates between Ha worn and Mauaia and round Hawera and now, he added, look at the swarm of: small farms intensively cultivated. 4 ‘There are still plenty of farms in Taranaki of six to seven hundred acres not being farmed to the limit,” said .Mr A. L. Jennings. “Between here and Wanganui,” said Mr IT. I. Crocker, “there are more big holdings than In most districts, which should be cut up.” “My opinion is,” said Mr Betts, “that the small farm quest ion has been somewhat overdone.” Ho added that on a farm of fifty acres worked by a man and wife, they would be working for a living only and would not be able (o put away anything for their old age. No farm should lie less than a hundred acres. Mr A. T. Sulzberger agreed and said that, he questioned very much if the land eoukl stand up indefinitely to such extensive manuring. Tt. was all right When land has nor been manured, to

put on heavy top-dressing and that it would respond for a time, blit he doubted if it. would continue. Mr O. Robertson said he eras convinced that with good farming methods a man could make fifty acres of good land pay well and be able to put away something every year. The fault was not in the question of area, but in the price to which it was pushed. Mr Crocker said that no land was worth more than £7O per acre at the outside and if, for instance, a man paid down £2OOO, lie should be getting ul least £l2O for interest and £3 per week for labour while his family should receive wages. But he questioned very much if fifty .per cent, of farmers were getting a return of interest of capital invested, small farms or large.

“Small farms are the .best from the* point of view of Die State,” said Mr Robertson, “while the larger suit the individual. ’'

“But even on the .big estates,” said Mr Betts, “it is questionable if with tlio fluctuating markets lho owners are making a great, profit.”