SMALL FARMS BILL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 13, 13 December 1932, Page 6

SMALL FARMS BILL.

The Small Earms Bill, introduced into the House of Representatives just before Parliament rose on Eriday for the adjournment, is the result of the conference wdiich took place late last month between the Minister for Employment (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) and the heads of Government Departments. Mr Coates then expressed his determination to secure concrete results. Committees were appointed to work out the details under which it is hoped to place 5000 unemployed men and their families on the land at the outset, and ultimately to extend the number to 10,000. Unemployed have been assisted to take up sections under what is popularly known as the “Ten Acre Scheme,” but it has been shown in Parliament that not all the sections are of this limited acreage, and some families have been fortunate enough to be placed on farms of fair size, giving them an opportunity to earn a livelihood denied in the cities with their congested labour markets. It is to be noted that under the Bill no new or elaborate organisation is proposed, a small board being provided to assist the Minister, with the help of local committees. The first object is to px-omote settlement on Crown lands, then to acquire land held privately for the purpose of the measure. This may be done either by lease or by purchase, and when taken up by an unemployed family the area may be leased for 10 years with the right of purchase when two-fifths of that period has elapsed. To avoid expense, it is further provided that instead of the Crown taking the title and then granting it to the lessee, direct arrangements may be made between the owner and the tenant. Provision is also made for computing the rental and determining the tercns of purchase. An important clause enables the Board to purchase land which, not being adequately used, is suitable for settlement under the Bill. This is in line with Mr Coates’s previous statement on the point. This is the most ambitious movement yet inaugurated to contribute something of permanent value in ovei*coming the great social evil of unemployment, and there should be no reason why, in the hands of capable administrators, it should not be a success, pi-ovided that a market can be found for the produce of these small holdings. There are close on 70,000 unemployed, and from this large number there should be no difficulty in choosing men with families who are prepared to take up holdings and make their living on the land. All over the world there is a great movement towards land settlement as a means of fighting the depression. In the United States, in particular, more men and women are seeking their livelihood from the soil. The success of the proposed Act would be of inestimable benefit to New Zealand.