LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1930, Page 11

LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT

MINISTRY’S ACHIEVEMENT DEVELOPING GROWN HOLDINGS. DEMAND FOR LAND CONTINUES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Woodville, Last Night. Speaking in regard to the Government’s record in regard to land settlement the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands, stated that the Reform Government during the 16'months prior to its going out of office had purchased two properties comprising 478 acres at a cost of £3395, and- those represented only, two holdings. During the first 16 months of office of tlie United Government 37 -properties had. been purchased comprising 59,806 acres at a cost of £623,309 and providing 176 holdings. Since the United Party came into office it had disposed of 2594 holdings, eojnprising .54,500 acres of all tenures. The secretary of the Reform League had given credit to the Government for settling 124 new settlers. The actual figures up to May 27 last were: —• New sections offered, 491. New sections selected, 468. New area offered, 159,334 acres. New area selected, 105,684 acres. Average cost of section selected, £1277. The Minister stated that the number of sections available- would increase as the work of the Advisory Committee progressed. Offerings of land for selection for June and July were: Improved sections 37, partially improved 67, undeveloped 57, a total of 161. The policy of the Government was to create closer settlement by the purchase •of private estates and by facilitating the settlement of idle Crown lands. Development operations had been in hand for some time on two areas in the south Auckland district. The Minister referred to the Ngahuru block, near Rotorua, of 2209 acres which had been sub-divided into sections of 200 acres and was being improved at an estimated cost of £7 16s per acre. It was expected this class of land would carry one cow to two and a-half acres. The Te Kauwhata block comprised 1000 acres which was being subdivided into eight sections. Advisory committees were at present engaged in investigating other areas with a view to their development on similar lines. Mr. Ransom claimed that the first Land Act of the United Government provided a new era in land settlement. Under that Act those holding or taking up undeveloped or partially developed Crown lands may receive advances up to 190 per cent, of the cost of improvements with a maximum of £1250. A preliminary test of 80 sections to be selected under these conditions had already been made, and additional sections were being offered from time to time. The Minister produced figures to show that there was a considerable demand for undeveloped land.