LAND FOR UNEMPLOYED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17957, 8 December 1932, Page 11

LAND FOR UNEMPLOYED

SCHEME FINALISED EILL TO BE INTRODUCED (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. It is anticipated that the Gmail Farms Bill, which embodies'the proposals of the Ilf. Hon. ,1. (!. Coates for the inemried absorption of 'the unemployed and their families in land settlement avenues, will he introduced in the House to-night. A meeting of the Cabinet this afternoon will probably approve the final draft, the completion of which represents a week’s effort on the part of the Minister, and the most effective means' lie can Suggest within the meagre limits of the finances available:

Recent information received by the Minister suggests that the demand for land for settlement in New Zealand has been revived in spite of the intensity of the depression, and late figures showk that upwards of 8000 applications have been received from men, some with capital and some wit liout, for assistance on to the soil. The results of the original small farm plan, :in the Ministerial view, aye sufficient to encourage the belief that its extension and enlargement are warranted, especially in the light of the knowledge that of 700 menplaced on the land under it nearly 300 are now entirely off the unemployment fflnd. ’ The legislation to be presented tonight is designed to facilitate the placing of additional numbers of men on undeveloped portions of existing rural holdings. The acreages will be of larger size than that provided under the earlier scheme. Acquisition is to be on a leasehold basis, and although power will be reserved to enter into leases compulsorily, it is gathered that this authority will be availed of sparingly, and be confined to extreme cases only,'and when other methods of nogotion have failed. The bill contains machinery for the payment of rentals for a period of years, and defines the ultimate liability of a new settler, who, in addition to receiving initial assistance from the State. Avill be eligible for a limited period for weekly sustenance allowances from the unemployment fund.