LAND SETTLEMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1935, Page 16

LAND SETTLEMENT

NEW SCHEME IN AUSTRALIA. FARMS FOR FARMERS’ SONS. The New South Wales Cabinet has been considering a comprehensive - plan of land settlement to conform with the altered economic position, says the Sydney Morning Herald. The Cabinet decided to give special consideration to the provision of better opportunities in primary industries for sons of farmers and for . unemployed youths, particularly those in rural districts. A Cabinet sub-committee was appointed to go into the question of finance and the provision of suitable lands and equipment, and to report to the full Cabinet. The scheme, it is understood, will involve the expenditure of a considerable sum of money. The Cabinet gave the sub-committee the following directions:— To consider, in the light of the existing market situation, the forms of primary production in which additional settlers could be pL-ced, and which may offer reasonable, prospect of success without adding to the marketing difficulties of existing settlers. ' To examine specific propositions for subdivision submitted to the Government by owners of existing holdings. To examine proposals received from persons with capital and experience desirous of acquiring land either as group settlement or individual holdings. To confer with private and public organisations and individuals, with a view to se'curing financial and other assistance needed to facilitate successful settlement. To inquire into the possibility of inaugurating a form of tenure, other than outright purchase, acceptable alike to land seekers with limited capital, and landholders desirous of subdividing their properties, and of ensuring finance for the productive operations of settlers under such a scheme. To consider means of providing better opportunities for establishng sons of farmers in primary industries, and of attracting and training unemployed youths for rural employment. To examine th? possibility of making available living areas from leasehold tenures where such are at present held in conjunction with reas in excess of a home maintenance area. “For some time past,” said the Premier (Mr. Stevens), “the fall in prices of rural products and the general financial stringency have precluded the purchase of private estates for subdivision for closer settlement. The Government has pursued a policy of consolidating the position of those already established on farms. Capital values and rentals have been reduced, interest charges lowered, advances made for wire netting and other useful improvements, the payment of arrears of interest postponed, and relief granted where made necessary by drought and floods. “Tne Government however, has kept in view ultimate means of promoting further land settlement as and when the conditions permitted. It has recognifised that it would be a disservice both to existing landholders and to prospective new settlers themselves to develop farms which would add to exportable surpluses products which could be sold only at unpayable prices. But the Government feeL that, unless existing difficulties are to be regarded as permanent, the position should now be carefully examined in order that suitable lands may be made available wherever conditions warrant. Care will be taken to see that settlers are not encouraged to expend thei. capital and energy in avenues, in which there is little ultimate chance of success. “It is obvious that the demand for land cannot be met from Crown lands, and if provision is to be made for land seekers it will be necessary to explore fully proposals for subdividing large holdings. The Cabinet has given consideration to proposals that have been put forward by various public bodies and private individuals, borne of these are general schemes of closer settlement, and some specmc proposals for subdivision, and it is known that there is a considerable number f prospective settlers with some capital seeking land. “The outstanding di.' Lenities are finance and markets. The Cabinet has requested the Minister of Lands (Mr. Buttenshaw), the Minister of Forests (Mr. Vincent), and the Minister of Social Services (Mr. Hawkins), to prepare a report on the matter. They will confer with a number of outside authorities, and discuss both with the Rural Bank and private financial institutions the extent to which co-operation would be forthcoming and financial assistance given in respect of the subdivision of estates and the provision of suitable lands and equipment. “Sons of men already on the land «.re the right material rrom which to draw new settlers, and should be given all the assistance possible. The Government has already pro; ‘.ded facilities for training unemployed ye .ths in rural pursuits, but although the terms offered should have proved attractive the response of youths has not been as great as the ’emand for their services. “The inquiries now to be undertaken will embrace the formulation of proposals that will attract more young men into this work. Inquiry will also be made into the nature of the training required to fit such youths for employment in rural industries, with a view to ensuring to landholders an adequate supply of competent assistance, and at the same time providing opportunities to young men to gain the practical experience essential to success in farming under present conditions. Th Ministers will work in conjunction with organisations that have already performed much useful work in this sphere.”