The Daily News WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1932. SMALL FARM SETTLEMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1932, Page 6

The Daily News

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1932. SMALL FARM SETTLEMENTS

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The proposal to extend the scope of the small farm scheme has much to recommend it. Of all the measures so far adopted for the relief of unemployment the small farm settlements hold out most hope of an adequate return for the expenditure involved. They have had the added value of affording an opportunity for private assistance in ways which have not entailed much outlay in cash, but, which have given help to the small-holder worth much more than its intrinsic value. The Small Farm Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives just before it adjourned in order that members may give it consideration through the recess, takes the small farms scheme a stage further. The Bill proposes to retain the existing system as a commencement and to make provision for increasing the holdings as experience is gained by the new settlers, until ultimately they may rely z entirely upon their farms as a means of livelihood. The funds provided by the special unemployment taxes may be drawn upon during the early days of the new settlements, the proposals in the Bill being an endeavour to link land settlement with unemployment relief. At the sarhe time the Minister in charge of the Bill, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, has indicated that the plan it contains will not be confined solely to those who are actually in need of relief. Men who have a little capital, men who have lost their employment, but have still some funds in hand and who prefer to work a piece of land rather than seek relief wages will be eligible as settlers under the new scheme. For those without funds assistance from the State will be essential, and for this and the supervision of the various small holdings it is proposed to utilise the organisations, official and voluntary, which are already engaged in the administration of relief funds and works. The new Bill proposes to commence with the creation of small holdings on Crown lands. Assistance may be given in breaking in or improving such lands until they approach a condition which will make returns from small holdings possible. The unemployed settler who takes up such a holding will, under the proposed scheme, receive wages for breaking in the land he is to occupy, and it is hoped that this will prove an incentive to hard work and thorough improvement. The better and the cheaper the preliminary work the less will be the cost of the land to the settler when the holding is transferred to him. It is not proposed to grant him the title, but to make occupation leasehold with the right of purchase, the intention being to keep outgoings as low as possible until the farm has become thoroughly productive. In subdividing the Crown lands, though only small areas may be leased at first, provision will be made for an extension of the holdings up to 50 or 60 acres as the settler’s experience and equipment enables him to make proper use of the larger area. Tenants’ improvements will be protected for those who do not desire to exercise the right of purchase, and the rent is not to be less than five per cent, of the unimproved value of the holding. Assistance may be given in the erection of cottages arid outbuildings, and in this regard the system of cooperative contracts may prove useful. A very important proposal in the Bill is that of giving the State power to acquire compulsorily land which is not being adequately used and which it is considered would be suitable for small farm holdings. Acquisition may be by purchase or by lease with right of purchase, and machinery is provided in the Bill for the adjustment of mortgages when portion of an existing holding is acquired for the small farm scheme. Owners of land have the right of appeal against the decision to acquire any part of their property, or the Minister may make arrangements for its acquisition by adding, out of public funds, to the improvements on the land retained. If it is administered with discretion this may be a very valuable portion of the proposed legislation. It is well known that many farmers haVe more land than they can fully develop, but even if they parted with some of it they would still be without the capital necessary to fully improve the smaller area and thus make it self-supporting. If the provision of such improvements can be part of the scheme of subdivision it is much more likely to appeal to farmers burdened with excess land and to lead to better returns being obtained by both old arid new occupiers of a sub-divided area. Mr. Coates claims that the proposals for financial assistance are but another way of bringing about land settlement by methods which proved successful in earlier years. The pioneers were obliged to subsidise returns from their holdings in the early stages by such work as roadmaking, fencing, bush falling, and so on. With large areas of new country to handle there was plenty of work available, and the. early

settlers were thus tided over the period in which their holdings were being brought into profit. To-day different conditions obtain, and the assistance must be given in another form, though the Minister sees no reason why it should not be equally effective in extending settlement and increasing productivity. The small farm scheme is at least a constructive attempt to handle the relief of unemployment. It may be that it can be improved in many directions. It does, however, deserve careful and sympathetic consideration from all who desire to find a solution of the problem of the workless and to see land development increase.