LAND SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23009, 9 April 1938, Page 16

LAND SCHEME

THE WAIKATO SOCIETY TRANSFER TO STATE ( : ■ - ILLNESS OF FOUNDER NO CHANGE IN POLICY [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Friday Arrangements have been made between the Government and the Waikato Land Settlement Society for the transfer of the society's assets to the Government, the transfer to take effect as from June 1 next.

In a statement referring to the transfer, Mr. 11. Valder, acting-chair-man of the society, said: "Another stage in the history of. the Waikato Land Settlement Society was reached when, after negotiations extending over several weeks, the Government agreed to the proposal made by the society that the Government should take over the whole q{ the assets and liabilities of the society. ' Reasons for Proposal "Tho principal factors which induced the founder and members of tho executive to make tho proposal to the Government are: —(1) The breakdown of the health of the founder and chairman of the society, Mr. D. V. Bryant and the inability of tho executive to find anyone with anything like the same experience and capabilities to control the future development of the society's work. (2) The fact that it had always been tho dream of tho founder that tho experiment carried out by the society in the settlement of the land would be followed in other districts and would eventually develop throughout the Dominion into a national movement.

"It appears that Mr. Bryant's dream is not now likely- to be realised, as there are few districts in which men like Mr. Bryant can be found, men who have his capacities, who are willing to devote their lives and wealth to the betterment of their fellow men, and in the process of so doing perhaps sacrifice their health as Mr. Bryant has done. "Restricted Freehold" Tenure

"Tho principal condition stipulated by the society in handing over to the Government was that the policy laid down in its constitution and rules should be adhered to," Mr. Vakler continued. "Accordingly the 'restricted freehold' tenure now operating in respect to the sections sold to the present settlers should be maintained and should apply to the holdings of future settlers in the various settlements owned by the society.

"This 'restricted freehold' is a. new form of land tenure evolved by the society and legalised by Statute in 1936. It was devised to prevent speculation in the unearned increment in land- values, and while retaining the principlo of payment by results, prevents the occupier from gambling in futures with his land.

"Continuity of policy is also ensured by the fact that the members of the executive will continue to act in. an advisory capacity, and thus retain the personal contact with the settlers as in the past. "One result of this 'merger' will be that suitable applicants other than men on the registered list of the unemployed may become settlers as provided under the' Government Small Farm Scheme. Crown's Contribution to Society

"It is of interest to note tliat in the original rules of the society it is laid down that in the event of a winding up, any property or assets undisposed of at the tune of such winding up, shall bo handed over to the Crown," said Mr. Valder. "The reason for this becomes apparent when it is considered that the Crown is the party most concerned in the success of the venture as it has contributed by far the largest amount to the material assets of the society. Besides donating £IOOO to the nucleus fund, which Mr. Bryant stipulated should reach £20.000 before the society started operations (actually this fund has now reached £27,000), the Government during the four years ended September 30, 1937, contributed the sum of £31,270, this being the amount paid out for manual labour bv the society, and refunded by the Government. "It is worth mentioning in this connection that the present capital of the society, after allowing for payment of all liabilities shown in the balance sheet of September 30, 1937, amounted on a very conservative valuation of the assets to £51,350, and it is anticipated that at the end of the present financial year this amount will be considerably increased. The society therefore will have more than doubled its capital in five years, but of course the increase of capital is not the objective of the society, it is only the means to attain its objective. Founder's Untiring Efforts

"The fact that tho nucleus fund reached the substantial amount mentioned was due firstly to Mr. Bryant's untiring efforts in canvassing the whole district from Auckland to the King Country, and secondly to the generous donation of £IO,OOO made by the Auckland Savings Bank, which undoubtedly saved the situation.

| "The founder proposes at the end I of his term of enforced absence from ! business, again to devote himself to j making the scheme more widely known and mora generally adopted." Mr. Valder continued. "He is also strongly of the opinion that a trial of the society's scheme, side by side with any other land settlement scheme, will result in the former being by far the most successful from a national as well as from an individual point of view. Tribute to Government , "Before the proposal was made to the Government the executive investigated the operations carried out by the Land Department under the State Small Farms Scheme, and came to tho conclusion that the methods employed I to bring tho land into a productive state were efficient and economical. This investigation was a considerable factor in influencing tho executive to approach the Government in the manner they have done. "The Waiknto 'Land Settlement Society will continue its existence ns' in the past, hut. the developmental part of the work will bo carried out by the Government, and, in view of tho fact that the society's oxeeutiro will continue to act as an advisory board, it is confidently hoped that tho sphere of its Activities will bo considerably enlarged. "The executive wishes to record its appreciation of tho sympathetic attitude of the Ministers of the Crown' and the heads of the departments concerned in the negotiations which have taken place for the' transfer of the enterprise," Mr. Valder concluded. "Nothing could have been more cordial, moro business-like, nor more helpful than the attitude of the Government in this transaction. It is hoped that the action taken will lead to the scheme being used in other parts of the Dominion, and thus bocome an important factor in increasing national production."