CLOSER SETTLEMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21883, 20 August 1934, Page 11

CLOSER SETTLEMENT

SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS THREE YEARS' ACTIVITIES TOTAL OF 2381 MEN PLACED [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTEKI WELLINGTON. Saturday The progress of the Government's land settlement policy during the past three years was optimistically reviewed in a statement made to-day by the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom. "Among its many activities, the Lands Department, during the past three years, has made a substantial contribution to the closer settlement policy of the Government," said the Minister. "In that period, which has not been particularly favourable for land settlement extension, it has placed on the land 2381 settlers, resulting in an increase of 1747 in the number of individual producers. In other words, 73 per cent of those settled in that period took up land which was not previously held in separate holdings and which for the most part was unproductive or was producing to a very limited extent. "As an additional activity of the department, the development of unimproved Crown land was enacted in 1929, a,nd during tho past three yeqrs £332,316 has been expended in that direction. The principle of developing land prior to settlement was extended by the enactment of tho Small Farms (Relief of Unemployment) Act, 1932-33, and expenditure under this legislation to date is £478,366. "Tho summarised expenditure on land development and under the small farm scheme during tho three years ended July 31, 1934, is as follows:—Land purchased for ordinary settlement, £151,564; cost of development under the Land Act, £332,346; loans to holders of unimproved Crown land, £195,373; expenditure under the small farm scheme, £478,366; total, £1,157,649.

"At present, the department is actively engaged in the development of about 100,000 acres of land, which was previously unimproved, or was producing only to a very small extent, and it is anticipated that this area will make available for settlement under the Land Act about JIOO sectio.ns, and under the small farm plan about 700 sections, or a total of apprpximately 1000 sections.

"It will be seen, therefore, that notwithstanding the now limited area of Crown land available, and the difficult economic conditions through which the Dominion is passing, steady progress is being maintained in giving effect to the Government's policy of closer settlement. At the same time, the department is providing work of a reproductive character for a large number of men, and by confining development operations to marginal lands of lighter typo which respond readily to topdressing, it is, with the assistance of the unemployment funds, in a position to offer from time to time improved farms at a charge consistent with the ruling prices for produce."