FARMING AFFAIRS

Lake County Mail, Issue 20, 8 October 1947, Page 2

FARMING AFFAIRS

This column is supplied weekly by Federated Farmers’ of New Zealand. The information given is official, but any views- expressed are those of the Federation and are not necessarily those of this newspaper. REHABILITATION PROBLEMS That income from the investment of money received from the gale of land to returned servicemen should not be treated wholly as earned income, was a request made to the Government by the Dominion Conference of Federated Farmers. The Minister of Rehabilitation, however, has replied that while the Government had given the question much consideration it could not sec its way to go further than the amendment to the taxation laws provided for in the year’s Land and Income Tax Bill. That amendment, Mr Skinner said, provided a worth-while concession in the direction indicated. Settlement of Land At the annual conference, the Federation also asked that the immediate settlement of blocks of land, even in an unimproved or partly improved state, and with the subsequent development by the settler assisted, if necessary, by the State should be undertaken. The Government, however, docs not agree with the proposal. The Minister in his reply last week, said that the Government considers it entirely wrong that ex-servicemen, many with family responsibilities, should be asked to carve for themselves an existence from unimproved land. The men deserved something better and the Government was endeavouring to provide that u something ” in the way of sections with minimum improvements complete. By “ minimum improvements,” Mr Skinner said he meant those amenities necessary to ensure that the ex-service-men would have a reasonable standard of living from the outset. Except where more or less fully improved properties were purchased and immediately sub-divided, scope' was always left for the men greatly to improve their holdings by their own efforts and if necessary with the help of State finance. Land Sub-division In considering sub-divisional schemes for the settlement of returned servicemen, the Land Settlement Board paid attention to the topography of the country and consulted farming subcommittees to ensure that the best sub-division was obtained. That information has been received by Federated Farmers from the Minister of Rehabilitation in reply to the conference resolution that, in the sub-division of land, greater consideration should be given to topographical conditions than to the money value. The Minister also wrote that rehabilitation loan limits; associated with the productive or

potential productive capacity, liad always to be the guiding principle, but a sub-division was never spoiled simply to provide for the value of all the units being with the Rehabilitation Board’s loan limits. Many of the schemes already approved had included “ over-scale ” units resulting from decisions to follow natural boundaries to obtain best sub-division and ensure the best use of the land. Peas for Britain The British Ministry of Pood has advised the New Zealand' Government that while it is rather too early to give a firm indication of its requirements of blue peas from New Zealand next year, it considers it should be able to take at least 5000 tons, more than New Zealand has exported in any one season over the last 10 years. That information has just beeil received by Federated Farmers from the Department of Agriculture, The British Government has also suggested that the maximum price of £34 per ton agreed on for the present season, appeared to be reasonable but at the moment it would prefer not to name a definite figure for the 1948 crop. The United Kingdom has also said that on current indications it can probably absorb 6000 tons of maple peas from New Zealand in 1948. Its Government is hoping for a reduction of at least £3 per ton on the present price of £2B for No. 1 peas. No finality has, however, been reached regarding that adjustment in price.