LAND SETTLEMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21807, 23 May 1934, Page 12

LAND SETTLEMENT

POLIC ; Y OF GOVERNMENT

CRITICISM BY FARMERS

The Government's land settlement policy was criticised by delegates at yesterday's sitting of the Auckland provincial conference of the New Zealand Farijiers' Union, when a remit was received from the Southern Thames branch, urging that th 9 small farms scheme be discontinued owing to its uneconomic working. "The Government's land settlement policy has been uneconomic from the fctart," said Mr. A.-E. Robinson, tiie secretary. "All the money put into returned /''soldiers' settlement schemes and- ordinary settlement schemes has not been- instrumental in successfully settling the land." The move to increase the number of settlers on the land had failed signally, as just as many were beinjg forced off the land as were going on.;- "There has been a wholesale squandering of money to no purpose," said Mr. Robinson. A Delegate: Settling men on the land is the only way out of the depression. After further discussion the original remit was amended and adopted aa follows:—'"That all new land settlement . be suspended until farming is placed on an economic basis, the chief remedy being the reform of the monetary system." /'

SMALL FARMS SCHEME '/ FOURTEEN MEN AT BROADWOOD fljy TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] KOUTTKOIIU, Tuesday The Small Farms Board has now placed 14 settlers on the two newlyacquired farms at Broad wood, the sections ranging from V> to 120 acreii. Tho land is of first-class quality. A number of wives with their families arrived in Kohukohti last.evening from Auckland, and went to Broadwood to-day. The board is supplying each farmer I with 2o heifers at profit, fencing materials 'and dairying utensils. A comfortable home will be provided. The capital cost will not exceed £I2OO. It is intended to erect for the new farmers suitable' tents in the meantime, which will carry them over tho present winter. The farmers ami their wives are sturdy and experienced, and appear to hive entered wholeheartedly into the project. I'etween now and the milking season the men will be engaged in improving their respective holdings.