SECURE TENURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23280, 24 February 1939, Page 12

SECURE TENURE

SMALL FARMS SCHEME REQUEST BY SETTLERS CONFERENCE IN AUCKLAND Security of tenure in the form of a long-term endurable lease, or, where applicants have been promised under existing legislation the right to acquire titles, such to bo granted when production reaches 62501b. of butter-fat a year per one-man unit, is sought in a resolution passed by representatives of 247 small farmers in the Auckland Province at a conference held in the Farmers' Union hall yesterday. Valuations, it is desired, in no instance shall exceed the basis arrived at by the price-fixing tribunal. Mr. G. A. Morphett, of Kaingaroa, presided at the conference. Other delegates were Mr. D. J. McLeod (Mission Block), Mr. E. A. Murray (Taipuha), Mr. G. A. Baddiley (Hokianga), Mr. H. Williamson (Kaitaia), Mr. E. B. Rendell (Karafcariki), Mr. T. Gregory (Ellicott's Block), Mr. L. C. Hair (New Zealand Workers' Union), and Mr. G. F. England (Hoe-o-Tainui and other blocks). Apologies for absence were received from the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, the commissioners of Cnown lands, North find South Auckland, and a representative of the Small Farms Board.

The chairman said many people had the idea that conditions in the country did not change very much, but they were continually changing. Much was heard about the migration of people oppressed in other lands, and New Zealand was being criticised abroad for her small population. The Dominion was accused of not making the best use of its land. This question of population was definitely tied up with that of small farms settlement. The difficulties of individual tenants under the small farms scheme, continued Mr. Morphett, could not be treated as if they were isolated events. The future social and economic development of the Dominion depended on the building up of a much larger population than at present. Time would show that small farms settlement, which began as a temporary expedient to deal with the problem of unemployment, would play a large part in New Zealand's development. A sub-committee was appointed to make recommendations as to what action should-be taken on the question of valuation. The conference will be continued today.