SMALL FARMS BILL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1932, Page 7

SMALL FARMS BILL

ABSORPTION OF UNEMPLOYED. NEW MEASURE READY. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. It is anticipated that the Small Farms Bill, which embodies the proposals of lit. Hon. J. G.. Coates tor increased absorption of .unemployed and their families in land settlement avenues, will be introduced in the House of Representatives • to-night. A meeting, of Cabinet this afternoon will probably approve the final draft, the completion of which represents weeks of effort on the part of the Minister and the most effective means he can suggest within the meagre limits of the finances available. Recent information received by the Minister suggests that the demand for land settlement in New Zealand has been revived in spite of the intensity of the depression, and late figures show that upwards of 8000 applications have been reecived from men, some with capital and some without, for assistance in getting on to the soil.

The results of the original small farm plan, in the Ministerial view are sufficient to encourage the belief that its extension and enlargement are warranted, especially in the light of the knowledge' that of 700 men placed on the land under it nearly 800 are now entirely off the Unemployment Fund. ' The legislation to be presented tonight is designed to facilitate placing additional nuniliers of men bn undeveloped portions of existing rural holdings. The acreages will bo of larger size than provided under the earlier scheme. The acquisition is to be on a leasehold basis and, although power will be reserved to enter into leases compulsorily, it is gathered that this authority will be availed of sparingly and bo confined to extreme cases only and ?hen all other methods of negotiation.have failed. The Bill contains machinery for payment' of rentals for a period of years and defines the ultimate liability of the new settler who, in addition to receiving initial assistance from the State, •will be eligible for a limited period for weekly sustenance allowances from the Unemployment Fund.