SMALL FARM PLAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 11

SMALL FARM PLAN

GOOD PROGRESS ACHIEVED APPROVAL OF HOLDINGS INTEREST IN NORTH AUCKLAND Good progress has been made with the small farm scheme for the relief of unemployment in the Auckland Province, and officers of the Government departments concerned express their satisfaction with the development of the scheme. Since the plan was put in operation over 100 holdings have been approved in the province, about 40 cottages having already been erected. The work of placing men on the holdings has been put in hand, and several have taken up residence on their allotments. Arrangements are now being finalised to obtain 40 more holdings. Prospects for the unemployed in the districts where they have been settled are regarded as good. Tho major districts where allotments have been approved are in North Auckland, chiefly in the Mangonui, Whangarei, Ilokianga, Hobson and Otamatea Counties. The remainder of the holdings are scattered throughout the province, the only county where one or more allotments has not been made being Coromandcl. So far more interest in tho Stherae has been shown in the North. This is due to the fact that tho land lends itself to the plan and also because it was first put into operation there, a start having been made in Otamatea County on the property of Mr. Rodney Coates. As the value of the scheme has come to be appreciated in other districts, further sections have been made available. Few holdings have been approved near Auckland, chiefly on account of the high price of land in the vicinity of the city. The highest-valued land which has been approved has been valued at £25 an acre, but this price has only been paid for the best grass-land. Many of the holdings have been obtained on a rentfree basis for three years and then rent at 5 per cent on the valuation, which has rajiged from £8 to £lO an acre. It is considered that this rent will be low enough to guarantee the success of any small farmer when he becomes established. Applications for small holdings are received by the Labour Department, suitable men being selected by the Department of Agriculture, who post them to farms. The allotments are inspected by the Department of Agriculture prior to approval, terms being then fixed with the farmer. The Public Works Department is responsible for the erection of cottages. After he has been settled on his allotment, the successful applicant is supervised by officers of the Department of Agriculture, who give advice on farming operations and assist to secure work from surrounding farmers. Assistance in supervision is also given by local committees.

USEFUL MEAT SUPPLY 400 FAMILIES BENEFIT SALE OF GIFT BEEF Approximately 400 families of relief workers obtained their week-end supply of meat at the meat pool in Commerce Street yesterday. The staff of the depot handled 40 carcases of mutton and four bullocks, of an aggregate weight of 30501b., of which almost 20001b. was mutton. The purchasers are charged ljd a lb. for mutton and 2d for beef, and on an average take a fairly large joint. In addition to meat, the families of country workers were given an issue of fish from supplies donated by Sanford, Limited, and each also received a quantity of potatoes. Tho last of the funds available was spent yesterday in the purchase of potatoes, and as the depot is now working without money there will be no issue of vegetables next week unless donations are received. Gifts of vegetables and fruit will be greatly appreciated. The meat depot will be open again on Wednesday for the sale of meat to any bona-fule relief worker in the Auckland metropolitan area. The purchaser must produce authority from an Unemployment Board inquiry officer to show he is registered as unemployed. The depot is being opened on this occasion for the purpose of disposing of a quantity of beef held in cold storage by the Farmers' Union. There are over 100 carcases of this beef, which was given for distribution among the distressed, but it is now being disposed of to provide funds for meeting a liability incurred in the running of the boot pool. LABOUR FOR FARMS EAST COAST DISTRICT [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] GISBOBNE, Friday A co-operative scheme to provide work for tho unemployed on back country farms, which was initiated in the East Coast district, has met with much success, and is considered by farmers to be one of the best schemes yet devised. A total of 400 men has been dealt with to date by the Public Works Department in Gisborne. The scheme enables single men to earn about 30s a week, and married men 37s 6d, and there are some other points of superiority to other schemes in regard to housing and food. Applications have gone forward for tho establishment of numerous groups, the number of men concerned in each instance being:—Tiniroto, 60; Waingake, 50; Te Karaka-Whatatutu, 60; Waerengaokuri, 40; Tangihanga, Repongaere and Ngatapa, 35; Whangara, 16; Wharerata, 20; Waimata, 15; Rcrc, 40; and Tolaga Bav, 12. "DRIVES" FOR OLOTHIN& REMUERA AND MOUNT EDEN A ''drive" for clothing, blankets, books, magazines or cash donations, organised by the Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Association, will be held in the Remuera district this morning, commencing at eight o'clock, About 100 members will take part and the collection will be sent to the Auckland Metropolitan Relief Committee for distribution. A house-to-house collection is also being made in Mount Eden, in aid of the distressed families in the district. A similar effort, organised by tho One Tree Hill Workers' Association, which was to have been held to-day, has been postponed until August b.