UNDEVELOPED LANDS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17029, 14 August 1929, Page 7

UNDEVELOPED LANDS

SETTLEMENT SCHEMES PROBLEM OF FINANCE (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Details are given in the annual report on Crown lands settlement of the plans adopted to develop areas hitherto untouched. Following a conference of Crown lands commissioners which reviewed tlie whole land settlement question, these officials were requested by the Minister of Lands to select areas of undeveloped Crown lands suitable for subdivision in their districts, and carry out the necessary surveys so that settlement could be proceeded with if Parliament approved of the provision of the necessary finance. At the present tune the department has no express authority to expend funds in preparing Crown lands for occupation, or in making advances to settlers for improvements required in the initial stages of breaking in their holdings, and it is desired to improve the position in that respect. It is considered,-adds the report, that there are in some districts large areas Of unimproved land, mostly pumice and gum country, which could be profitably occupied now that the \alue of top-dressing for that class of land is becoming more fully understood. Most of it is land requiring fairly close settlement so as to allow of intensive farming of every section, and it is hoped that as a result of special investigations several blocks suitable for group settlement will be found.

LACK OF CAPITAL. A topographical survey of a block in the Taupo-Rotorua district is being undertaken by the department. When the survey has been completed the area will be developed for settlement to a certain extent before being opened for selection, and it is hoped to proceed on similar lines with blocks in other parts of the Dominion. Thus will enable an incoming tenant to obtain soma return from his land from the beginning, and he will then be in a better position to proceed with the improvement of the remainder of his section. The land concerned is at present, in fern and scrub, and a good deal is ploughable country. The success of the scheme will also largely depend upon suitable finance being provided to assist fanning capital. Another reference to the necessity of providing some initial capital for those taking up Grown lands appeal's in the same report, which points out that in throwing open areas for selection last year, it had again been found that many persons desirous of selecting Crown sections had little or no capital available, and it is of course difficult for the department to place such applicants satisfactorily. Under the existing law applicants must be in a position to deposit the first half-year's rent, or instalment, and they must also satisfy land boards that they have a reasonable prospect of being in a position to improve and stock the land they wish to select. "Unless, therefore, an applicant possesses a small amount of capital, or is in a position to raise the same, it is not at present possible for the department to assist him in his desire to settle on the land. There are doubtless many men of sound experience who are grievously handicapped by lack of even a small amount of capital, and it may yet be possible to devise some means of assisting these to obtain farms of their own." The answer to this official suggestion is found in the Budget proposal setting aside £5,000,000 for financing settlement, apart from land acouisition.