THE UNEMPLOYED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21346, 22 November 1932, Page 11

THE UNEMPLOYED

SETTLEMENT ON LAND

PLANS FOR LARGE SCHEME

MR. COATES OPTIMISTIC J

SOLVING FINANCE PROBLEM

[by telegraph—special reporter] WELLINGTON, Monday

"The proposals for the settlement of unemployed on the land have now been" reduced to two alternative schemes, which. . will be discussed at a farther conference of departmental officers to-morrow," said the Ht. Hon. J. G. Coates this evening. "It is possible that the plan adopted will be a compromise between the two schemes still under consideration," continued Mr. Coates. "One of the principal' difficulties has been to devise a land settlement scheme without any money. However, the results under the ten-acre scheme have been encouraging, for wo § have placed nearly 600 unemployed on tlio \ land and 50 per cent of them are no longer a charge on us. Once we have decided on a scheme for the absorption of unem-' ployed on a larger scale the details will be laid before the Cabinet.

"It is too early to talk about legislai tion on tho subject and in any case I do not think much will be required. Wa are hopeful of doing more by private' negotiations with owners having , properties too large for them. The idea would be to give them some assistance with their rent or mortgage money in return for the use of the urifarmed portions oi their property for settling unemployed. 1 "It is possible we may find it advisable to secure legislation enabling us to acquire land compulsorily, but if we did so the purpose would bo to keep those powers latent, to use them only if the same objective could not bo achieved by negotiations. » ' "We have already received 8000 applications from unemployed desirous of participating in a land settlement scheme,"' said Mr. Coates. "Of course I cannot guarantee that all of (hem are suited for farming life, but the great bulk of the applicants are men who have farmed on their own account at one time or who have been farm labourers." Mr. Coates added that it was possible he would be ready to submit his scheme to the Cabinet by the gnd of the week.