GROUP SETTLEMENT

Northland Age, Volume II, Issue 33, 20 August 1930, Page 6

GROUP SETTLEMENT

ADOPTED BY LEAGUE BAY OF ISLANDS COUNTY PROPOSALS FULLY OUTLINED For some years the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League has been endeavouring to have a system of group settlement instituted and at yesterday’s meeting the scheme was adopted. The first meeting will be made in the Bay of Islands County. The reason for this was explained by Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, ehairman of the league. He said that the Bay of Islands area was one of the best submitted for experimental purposes. The land was suitable and cheap, but above all there are practical men who were willing to take up positions on an advisory committee, which would help the new farmers in every possible way. The idea was to get the community or team spirit. Some 800 acres of Crown land would be taken up, the average price of which was 17/6 per acre. It was quite suitable for dairy farming and was roaded. This was a straightout experimental block for which the price was at Government valuation. The farms would consist of from 70 to 100 acres.

When asked for his opinion of the scheme, Mr. A. A. Ross, president of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, said: '‘lt seems to me that if the proposition is run on proper lines it should turn out all right with the right class of land, men, and conditions.”

A special committee of the league, consisting of Messrs Holdsworth, M. G. McArthur, W. Fraser, D. Donaldson, G. L. Ferguson (president of the Bay of Islands branch), and the secretary, Mr. G. Gribble, brought down a report, prior to which the executive had considered and discussed concrete proposals which had previously been brought forward. Their recommendations, which were adopted unanimously, provided for men, land and finance for the original group settlement. Finding the Men.

The sub-committees report indicated that it was considered that the publicity already given and that which would result from the present proposals, would ensure a sufficient number of suitable men of some experience with the necessary £3OO each being secured. As a matter of fact applicants were already making inquiries.

The committee was impressed with the fact that the strongest branch of the league, and one through which a start might reasonably be made, owing to the keenness of local settlers, was that in the Bay of Islands. It was suggested, therefore, that the league should immediately get in touch with the Minister of Lands and obtain details of suitable blocks in the Bay of Islands district, Northern Wairoa, Hokianga and Whangarei. In all those parts there was an earnest desire for development, and men of outstanding calibre were prepared to act on the local advisory committees. Financing the Scheme. In connection with finance the committee considered that the amount of £3OO was the lowest that could be fixed for practical purposes; but it was suggested that in the selection of prospective settlers it should be remembered that it was desirable to ap. portion the work over the whole block in a number of suitable

contracts covering various phases such as fencing, clearing, work-mg-up, draining, building, planting shelter belts, etc. By these means it would be possible for the individual settler to augment his financial resources.

It was suggested that in making contracts between the group and the individual members of it, authority should be taken for a portion of the contract price to be payable to trustees on behalf of the individual settlers. This amount should be credited to their individual capital account with the trustees, and should bis available to them for assisting them in their operations.

It was also considered that the Land Settlement League should emphasise to the Government the necessity of grading repayment instalments so that it would enable the man to pay when he was getting returns from his land, rather than force him to find money when, in the opinion of the local advisory committee, he could not reasonably do so and carry out progressive imDrovement on his holding. It was suggested that three trustees, consisting of the central executive, and a representative of the local advisory committee, should form ihe trustees for the group. The money available to each individual (being the original capital amount), and the percentage he could set aside from contracts in which he would be interested between himself and the group, should be disbursed by the trustees on behalf ot the group members. Rules for Working Rules and conditions under

which the group would work would be drawn up immediately, and signed by every member of the group. They would have to agree to accept the direction and suggestions of the local advisory committee, and the funds being paid into the hands of the trustees.

When the holdings, with standard houses farm buildings, had been completed, there should be an allocation of actual proportion of the total cost of the scheme by the local advisory committee. In the absence of unanimous agreement between all parties the holdings must be balloted for between members of the group.

It was considered undesirable that expensive plants should be bought for carrying out the bringing in of land; but at the same time the committee was convinced that under the circumstances mechanical manipulation was the cheapest. The purchase of stock, both live and dead, should not be permitted except under the guidance and certificate of the local advisory committee, who would instruct their local trustee and the trustee would disburse the money.

The Scheme Afloat

“So she is afloat,” said a member ot the executive when the resolution to adopt the select committee’s report was carriedHe remarked further that at last the league was coming into its own with regard to its strenuous endeavours to have land settlement placed on a proper basis in the Dominion. As other bodies in Auckland were interested in the scheme it

was decided to invite a representative of the Rotary Club, Overseas League, Chamber of C< mmerce, Auckland A. and P. Association, The Real Eslate Association and the Sawmillcrs’ Association to a seat on the executive committee of the league.