SUCCESS IN NORTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21411, 8 February 1933, Page 11

SUCCESS IN NORTH

FAMILIES ON LAND MEN FORMERLY IDLE * ___ COSTS OF SETTLEMENT [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday "Is it'better to pay a man with a family £1 or 25s weekly and put him on a piece of land which will eventually, become his own, or is it better to pay him £2 and £2 10s on relief work and not give him that opportunity?" asked the Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates, in the House to-day, when defending the proposals contained in the Small Farms Bill.

Indicating the general desire among the unemployed to participate in land settlement schemes, Mr. Coates said that between 8000 and 9000 applications had been received. As an illustration of the fine spirit shown by those who had been placed on the land under what is loosely known as the 10-acre scheme, Mr. Coates cited numerous cases from the North Auckland district, particularly the settlement of 18 unemployed families on Dr. Smith's property at Rawene. Men Formerly Unemployed

"The head of every family now on that property was unemployed," said Mr. Coates. "Now they have from 16 to 20 cows each and the families are not getting anything from the unemployed funds today." Mr. Coates said that 418 families had been settled under the small farm scheme to date, and 266 *'share-milkers propositions" had been dealt with. The liability was as follows:—3sß small farmers at £230 each, £82,000 ; 60 small farmers at £450 each, £27,000 ; 216 share-milkers at £265 each, £58,000 ; 50 share-milkers at £175 each, £9OOO. The total amount spent so far was thus £176,000, or about £260 for each family. Some of those settled had 50 or 60 acres, but most had far less than that. The Government's proposals visualised settling families on about 50 acres each, and it was estimated two and a-half acres would run one cow. Mr. Coates said one property recently opened up comprised 11 farms of 50 acres each. There were between 400 and 500 applications. The total cost would be about £450 for each settler. Assistance from Settlers Mr. W. E. Parry (Labour— Auckland Central): Is the herd included in that? Mr. Coates: In the case of 50 local registered unemployed, settlers in the district will assist in providing cows and dairy companies will also help. We are trying to get local people to accept part of the responsibility in such ways as holding drives. One will shove in a heifer and another will do the same.

Mr. E. J. Howard (Labour—Christchurch South)-: And someone will shove in a mortgage. Mr. Coates: Not in this district. It may be necessary, of course, for us to find some money for stock. Some families may cost us 25s weekly for a while. Mr. Parry: What about rates ? Mr. Coates: That includes rates.

Referring to Dr. Smith's property at Rawene, Mr. Coates said 970 acres had been leased at 8s an acre. There were 18 holdings and 56 children were included in the 18 families settled there. Two hundred cows were now being milked, and another 200 cows would be milked shortly if finance could be arranged. It was estimated that tho rental would work out at less than £1 weekly for each holding. Cost to the Funds Questioned regarding the extent to which the unemployment funds were being utilised to assist families under the land settlement scheme, Mr. Coates said that over 50 per cent of those placed were not costing the unemployment funds one penny piece. Others were assisted to the extent of 5s or 10s weekly, while a few were given £l. They were still on sustenance allowance because their areas had not yet been improved. Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition : Is there any danger of this arrangement reducing the general allocation ?

Mr. Coates: During the first five or six years, there may be a small charge on the funds in the form of sustenance or rent.

Mr. F. Jones (Labour —Dunedin South): How much will the scheme cost ? Mr. Coates: We will set aside as much as we can. The sum of £500,000 has been set aside and about £300,000 has been allocated up to the present. , Mr. F. Langstone (Labour —Waimarino) : Out of the unemployment funds ? Mr. Coates: No, out of the capital fund. However, 1 want to be frank and say that in respect of some assistance, the unemployment funds will be committed for some years ahead. RECORD OF VOTING DIVISION LIST ON BILL CORRECTION OF ERROR [by telegraph—press association] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The fact that the division list on the third reading of the Banks Indemnity (Exchange) Bill indicated that Mr. P. McSkimming (Government —Clutha) voted for both the noes and ayes, was pointed out in the House to-day by Mr. Speaker. He asked Mr. McSkimming how ho had desired his vote to be recorded. Mr McSkimming said he had voted with ihe noes against the bill and during the division had at no time been in the ayes lobby. The record of voting on the third reading was thereupon altered from 43 to 32 to 42 to 32.