SMALL FARMS

Southland Times, Issue 22009, 8 May 1933, Page 8

SMALL FARMS

GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS MINISTER EXPLAINS ’CO-OPERATION SOUGHT (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 7. The efforts that are being made by the Government to push ahead land settlement under the small farms scheme were outlined by the Hon. E. A. Ransom in an interview. The procedure to be followed by people applying for holdings under the scheme was also briefly explained. He said that in view of the limited Crown land available the success of the scheme would largely depend on the amount of private land that could be acquired on lease with the right of purchase. The board’s first duty was to set up local committees to assist in the administration of the scheme. Such committees would be appointed at an early date. Work was not at a standstill in the meantime, as the Departments of Lands and Survey and the Agricultural Department were co-operating in regard to propositions under the former scheme and would continue to do so in connection with operations under the Act passed last session. It was therefore competent for any unemployed eligible relief to make application by filling in the necessary form which is procurable from post offices. It was the duty of the board to find sufficient Crown or private land and settle as many applicants as possible. In some cases the owner can make an offer of part of his farm. He nominates an unemployed man as lessee. If applicants can arrange with owners for a lease suitable to both they can assist both themselves and board greatly and facilitate consideration of the application. Mr Ransom said that he wished to pay a tribbute to those men who had spent both time and money while acting on advisory committees under the former scheme. The Government would be pleased if these gentlemen would continue to act in an advisory capacity and submit suggestions and recommendations to the local committees which are shortly to be set up. “In order to assist the scheme I would ask all owners who have lands available and who are prepared to lease at reasonable rents with the right of purchase to submit particulars to the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district. The Act,” concluded Mr Ransom, “provides for compulsory acquisition by way of lease of private lands but it is hoped that sufficient areas will be available at reasonable valuations by negotiation, thus obviating the necessity of compulsion.”