SOLDIER SETTLERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21929, 12 October 1934, Page 13

SOLDIER SETTLERS

FARMING DIFFICULTIES LOW BUTTER-FAT PRICES MEETING THE CIRCUMSTANCES [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER") WELLINGTON. Thursday Land set apart for selection by discharged soldiers during last year totalled 2869 acres, making a grand total of 1.448.668 acres proclaimed since the inception of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Scheme, according to the annual report presented to the House of Representatives yesterday by the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands. Ten applications for land had been received during the year, compared with 12 for urn and 22 for 19.32. Loans authorised last year numbered 273, involving a total amount of £38.811. Cash receipts were £1,314,335, compared with £1,113,364 in the previous year, an increase of £200,971. Reporting on activities in the North Auckland district, Sir. W. D. Armit, commissioner of Crown lands, says:— "The past season has been one of serious difficulty for the bulk of soldier settlers owing to the reliance placed on dairy farming by the great majority. The department is brought into closest contact with financial difficulties and it has been essential to consider carefully the welfare of settlers and their families, together with the efficient maintenance of farms. General Policy Defined "The general policy has been to allow reasonable living expenses as a first charge, sufficient top-dressing to maintain production, and working expenses before allocating revenue to land charges. This has necessarily resulted in a budgetary form of finance requiring investigation as to farm production. In very many cases the necessity for exploiting side-lines such as maize-growing and pig-husbandry is generally realised. Crown mortgagors are encouraged to exploit these possibilities. The grazier soldier Bettler has experienced an uplift and can look to the future iritli more confidence. Wool, fat lamb and sheep prices have shown a marked improvement, enabling the annual charges to be met for the first time in several years. "The position in respect of the house mortgagor has not improved. Reduced earnings and loss of employment continue to force many of our mortgagors to abandon their houses. Re-sales are rarely effected, but little difficulty is experienced in securing tenants. The department has carried out extensive repairs and renovations to abandoned houses, and in addition assistance has been given where required to numerous mortgagors to paint and repair the exteriors with a view to the preservation of Crown security." Most Unfortunate Season The year in the Auckland land district is reviewed by Mr. K. M. Graham, commissioner of Crown lands, as follows:—"An far as dairy farmers are concerned, the season was a most unfortunate one. Butter-fat prices showed a still further drop, and it would appear that the pay-out for the season will not amount to more than about Bd. Production again showed a marked increase, but in spite of that, the fall-ing-off in farm revenues was serious. Assistance by way of a reduction of the percentage of cream cheque orders was given as far as possible. "As far as sheep farmers are concerned, the position has been much better. A marked increase in wool prices and a corresponding increase in values for sheep has helped sheep farmers very materially, and providing that prices remain anything like normal, they should have no difficulty in carrying on. "Owners of. house properties also have been in difficulties, and relief by way of capitalisation and extension of terms has been given in a number of cases. Generally speaking, house properties have been well maintained."