BRIGHT OUTLOOK

Southland Times, Issue 21191, 18 September 1930, Page 7

BRIGHT OUTLOOK

SOLDIER SETTLEMENTS • PROGRESSIVE CLASS IN SOUTHLAND MODERN METHODS IN USE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, September 17. The lands set apart for settlement by discharged soldiers during the past year totalled 2,462 acres, states the annual report of the discharged soldiers’ settlement branch of the Lands and Survey Department which was tabled in the House of Representatives to-day by the Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom). The total area now proclaimed is 1,440090 acres. During the. year 63 applications were received and allotments totalling 16,665 acres, were made to 53 of the applicants. The total applications received during the fifteen years of the scheme is now 15,000 and a total of 1,415,847 acres has been allotted to 4,018 soldiers. The report on soldier settlements in Southland states that at no period since the inception of soldier settlement in Southland has the outlook appeared better in regard to the prospects of these settlers as a whole than at the present time, irrespective of the position of' their current account advances and their outside committments to trading firms. It is no exaggeration to say that owing to the improved conditions of their farms and consequent increased carrying capacity farms bought for settlement under section 2 of the- Act are better security to-day and hold greater possibilities for the continued success of individual holders than at any time since purchased.' The soldier settlers in Southland are a progressive class who have been in the lead right through in adopting modern farming methods which have prevailed in this district during the last ten years in every locality. They are keenly interested in herd testing. Pasture management is another matter that is getting a good deal of attention. The isolated areas of ragwort which can be seen on some of the best land are not on soldiers’ farms as this menace was dealt with years ago by them in a very simple and effective manner, that is by running a few failing mouth in conjunction with their dairy herds. leihoka settlement is used solely as sheep farms and settlers there are well established with a very good class of stock. Campbell settlement is worked on mixed farming lines and although the holdings are, if anything, a bit small, the original selectors are all still in occupation and improving their positions. Some have acquired small additional areas while others supplement their revenue by doing contract work such as roadmaking. Allenby and Strathvale settlements are both dairying propositions and with improved facilities which the deepening of the Opio stream will give, conditions which were always good will be made still better. Monte Cristo settlement has seen a good many changes, but the present condition, with the exception of one holding, is good and all holdings are now occupied.