SMALL FARMS SCHEME

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1934, Page 9

SMALL FARMS SCHEME

BOARD’S FIRST REPORT

TOTAL OF 692 SETTLERS.

DIFFICULTY OF LAND VALUES.

Wellington, Sept. 15.

Progress made with the small farms scheme up to March 31 last is described in the annual report on the settlement of Crown lands, presented to Parliament yesterday by the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom. As the Small Farms Board had not been in operation a full year at the date mentioned, the report states, nothing like full results of its policy of developing virgin and mainly unproductive lands could then be seen. The board early decided to provide developmental work for as many unemployed as possible, in addition to its settlement plans. Crown land capable of economic development was not available in many districts, and private lands had to be purchased or leased. In spite of still-persisting difficulties in regard to prices, several properties were acquired and work was commenced. Some of the sections at the end of the financial year were reaching the stage when they could be settled, and the policy followed was to select the most suitable men engaged on the work of development and to allot the subdivisions to them. At March 31 some 570 men were engaged on development blocks aggregating 37,451 acres, which were estimated to provde 347 separate farms.

Under the small farms scheme, dairying has been carried on principally, owing to the need for immediate returns, and the relatively small outlay on stock as compared with sheepfarming. The board has endeavoured to keep the establishment cost down to £l2OO a settler, as for a going concern, and with sheep this would be inadequate. Settlers, however, are allowed to develop side lines as they see fit. The board has on several occasions questioned the wisdom of establishing further purely dairying propositions, and for some time has encouraged mixed farming or lamb-fattening on a small scale, but under intensive farming conditions. This type of farming permits a settler to increase or reduce his activities from year to year in any particular branch, according to market fluctuations. The claims of the small holder have not been overlooked, and a number of sections of about five acres each has been provided in suitable localities.

During the 229 individual holdings, comprising 11,507 acres, were settled. The average area was 50 acres. The number of individual settlers under the original scheme was 488, less 25 whose holdings were closed in the'course of the year. The number of sharemilkers was 261.

The total expenditure to March 31, 1934, was £142,000, and a grand total of 692 settlers had been placed on Individual holdings.