FEVER FARMERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20898, 13 June 1931, Page 6

FEVER FARMERS.

STEADY DECREASE CLAIMED GOVERNMENT CRITICISED SETTLEMENT LEAGUE'S REPORT* The number of farmersi and the areag in occupation by settlers in New Zealand are steadily decreasing, according to figures quoted in a report presented at yesterday's meeting of fchti New Zealand Land Settlement and Development) League. The report also refuted a recent statement by the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, that the league was out of touch with the work of the Lands Department and had little knowledge of its activities during the past two years. " Although the Minister claims that tha Government has been following a policy of progressive land settlement, it appears definite that there have been less than 1000 new settlers as a result of two and a-half years' work," says the reports '* According to the Year Book, there were 4600 fewer people engaged in farming in 1929 than in 1925, the settled areas were over 100,000 acres less, and the number of holdings had shrunk by 375. . Official figures for last year show that the decrease in the total area, as compared with 1929, was 153,478 acres, the number of holdings being 435 less " If, as the Minister states, 130,000 acres, ' the greater part of which was totally unproductive previously,' has been brought in as a result of the Government's activities, there must have been a considerable shrinkage in other directions," says the report. It points out> that at a recent ballot for four sections in the Rangitikei district there were 204 applications, a state of affairs which supported the view of the league that the position was serious. " Although given authority by Parliament to expend up to £5,000,000 in improving idle Crown lands, the Minister has spent only £202,000 for this purpose; although in the same period £3,000,000 has gone to the relief of distress," the report; proceeds. Criticism of the " so-called" Advisory Committees is also made and the institution of a Dominion Development Beard is urged. Ifc was considered nhat such a board could absorb the functions of the Departments of Lands, Agriculture, Scientific Industrial Research and others. The purchase by the Government of 52 properties at a cost of about £840,000 was criticised, it being thought that the' money could have be<m more ad van-, tageously spent in improving unproductive lands already held by the Government. Ifc was stated that from information available it was apparent that morp had been accomplished by the Minister of Native Affairs, Sir A;?irana Ngata, for the Maoris, than by the Minister of Landa for the general electors