SMALL FARM SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21577, 23 August 1933, Page 8

SMALL FARM SCHEME

The Hokianga County Council, which displayed marked initiative in tho earlier days of the small farm scheme, is now engaged in the further practical move of establishing a camp for prospeptive small farm settlers, who will first be employed on reclamation and land development work. This system is thoroughly sound and there should be no difficulty in its extension to other counties seeing that the relief allocation involved is additional to the normal requirements of the area. Now that the winter is almost past the country may expect more rapid progress with the small farm scheme about which little 'has been heard for some time. For its administration a board was set up and a commission appointed, and it may be assumed that the preliminaries have been accomplished and that the machinery will move fast and smoothly. Tho fact that market restrictions have been threatened is no reason for any delay. The dairy., output of the land so settled will make little difference to the national export, and even if quota restrictions are eventually applied the new settlers will at least be able to produce the bulk of their own living. The Hokianga plan of placing applicants for sections in a camp and first employing them on development work will enable the authorities to ascertain which are most suitable, and it will also help men, by practical experience, to find out whether they are sufficiently adaptable. A desire to go on to the land does not always mean that one can adapt himself to a new pursuit and a new environment. Throughout the country there are scores of relief camps occupied not entirely by single men to whom the small farm scheme is not open, and it would be advisable for the Unemployment Board to first concentrate upon such married men in settling the small farms available in their districts. County Council co-operation will be necessary. Obviously the first chance should be given to suitable men who have accepted country relief work.