THE SMALL FARM PLAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21649, 20 May 1932, Page 8

THE SMALL FARM PLAN

MISCONCEPTIONS REMOVED (Contributed by Department of Agriculture.) It has been found that farmers and others intimately concerned believe that the small farm plan includes proposals which really have no place in it, and hence the following indication as to what it is not proposed to do under the small farm scheme may be of assistance in clarifying the position. yOT A VILLAGE SETTLEMENT SCHEME.

First, the small farm plan, as operating to-day, is not an application of the old village settlement scheme. It is not proposed to subdivide whole farms into five to ten acres for holdings. Instead of bringing about the creation of groups of small holdings, it is planned, to have individual small holdings at some distance from one another, and judiciously located so that each small farm settler will, if competent, be able to obtain a reasonable amount of labour throughout the year from neighbouring farmers. It is recognised that in occasional special circumstances a group of small farm settlers may be desirable, but as, a rule it is felt that such groups would lead to the glutting of the farm labour market in restricted districts, while farmers at a distance from the glutted districts would continue to have the labour difficulties that they have previously experienced. SMALL FARMS NOT SOLE SOURCE OP INCOME.

Secondly, from the foregoing it is evident that there is no expectation that settlers on the small farms will generally make their living wholly from their holdings. It is held, however, that the production of the small holdings will be extremely useful in supplementing the earnings on neighbouring farms, and that in consequence of the returns from both sources the small farm settler will be much better off than are likely to be for some years the casual workers located in towns.

It is possible, of course, that some of the settlers on the small farms, by suitable specialisation, as, for instance, in seed raising, poultry breeding or branches of horticulture, may be able to earn a comfortable living wholly from their small farms, but the general success of the small farm plan is not based on this possibility being generally realised. FARMERS’ RESPONSIBILITY FOR CASUAL LABOUR.

Thirdly, a farmer in handing over a portion of his property for the purpose of the small farm scheme does not thereby necessarily undertake the responsibility of providing the settler on the small farm with the employment off his holding which is necessary to make his position satisfactory. Ordinarily the settler on the small farm will count on getting labour from several farmers in bis neighbourhood, although in certain cases one neighbouring farmer may be able to provide him with all the labour that he wishes to undertake off his small holding, INDISCRIMINATE LENDING NOT DESIRED. Fourthly, farmers arc not expected to lend indiscriminately implements, horses, etc., to settlers in small holdings in their neighbourhood. It is, however, considered that often implement work on small holdings will be done by neighbouring farmers in exchange for labour by the small farmer on their larger farms and that it will be possible to manipulate such exchange of services in a mutually advantageous manner. BUSINESS, NOT CHARITY. Fifthly, the small farm scheme has not been launched on the assumption that the present farmers will give portions of their farms for small farm settlement purposes, though if individual farmers offer the use of their land free of charge it will, if suitable for the purpose, be gladly accepted. It is proposed as far as possible to lease the required land with a reasonable security of tenure for the settlers on the small farms, and the right of purchase of this can be arranged. SELECTION OF SUITABLE SETTLERS. Sixthly, to qualify jis a settler under the small farm scheme it is not sufficient merely to be registered as a married unemployed worker. The greatest possible care will be taken to select as settlers on the small holdings men of good character, whose industry and ability in farming work has been demonstrated. It is felt that the scheme would fail if the settlers were not! competent and willing to give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. As far as possible the men mostly directly interested in any particular small holding will participate in the selection of the worker who is to occupy it. VALUATION SAFEGUARDS. Seventhly, some seem to fear that an endeavour will be made to secure land for the scheme on an unduly low valuation based on present low values of farm produce. Actually the local advisory committees of farmers which are being formed will be consulted in respect to valuations, and the work of such committees should lead to the avoidance equally of too low and of too high values. CRITICISM INVITED. Anyone who considers the scheme calls for adverse criticism is asked to submit his views to the Department of Agriculture in order that they may be considered. The constructive critic in this matter may carry out a national service. FARMERS’ UNION SUPPORTS SCHEME FIRST-CLASS LAND ESSENTIAL ( Per U.mteii Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 19. The Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union carried the following remit in connection with the Government small farm plan for the absorption of married unemployed workers: — “ We welcome the move the Minister of Employment (Mr J. G. Coates) is making, and we offer our co-operation in an endeavour to make the scheme successful. We would suggest that before going ahead the Unemployment Board should refer the matter to the various provincial executives of the Farmers’ Union. Meantime we emphasise the fact that any land chosen should be first-class land capable of carrying at least six cows.” THE DARGAVILLE DISTRICT GOOD PROGRESS WITH THE SCHEME. (Per United Press Association.) DARGAVILLE, May 19. Mr Coates’s small farm scheme is being well received all over the district. Already 11 married couples with children are comfortably settled at Ararua on an area of land near Mr Coates’s own homestead. Meetings have been addressed throughout the county by an officer of the Department of Agriculture, and n committee of farmers has been formed to deal with offers of land already made and the applicants. The departmental officer says that from the number of inquiries made there will be no difficulty in settling 50 families in a month it the houses and the land are available. There is a considerable area of land close to settlements in the district suitable for ( the scheme, which has every appearance of being wholly successful. 1