SMALL FARMS SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21596, 14 September 1933, Page 12

SMALL FARMS SCHEME

Sir,—-The thanks of the Dominion are due to the Hon. C. J. Carrington for bringing before the Government and the public the delay in operating the small farms scheme. The passing of the Small Farms Act by Parliament, and the provision of £500,000 to set it in motion, opened up a vista which gave fresh life and hope to thousands of our citizens, willing and anxious to start afresh and to pull their weight in their country's life. The scheme was designed for the purpose of providing homes and incomes for capable men without capital, and to that extent it is a bold and statesmanlike step, unprecedented in our country's history. Having broken fresh ground to' this extent, the Government should not hesitate, if necessary, to discard old methods and create new precedents in administering the Act. The Civil Service has been retrenched and, according to Mr. Carrington,. every branch of the Lands Department is overworked. Surely there are practical farmers, men of pioneering instinct and vision, whose services could be utilised in setting this scheme in full motion. It is essentially outdoor men's work. The planning •of the idea would be best served hy the inclusion of those who fashioned the scheme. It requires the idealist at the helm and not the hireling. I would, therefore, suggest that all the men concerned be part, of the plan and the costs, wages, etc., be sufficient for reasonable needs for the beginning and look to the land to do the balance by results. I believe somewhere about 30s per week,, or less, to boil the billy would be ample, with a small outlay for some foundation stock, etc., until the farmer dug his toes in. The man that will plan the finances requires to be as far-sighted as the planner of the scheme. The two are required and apparently only one is on deck at present. L. McGann.