MR BURNETT AND THE LAND PROBLEM.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19231, 11 July 1932, Page 6

MR BURNETT AND THE LAND PROBLEM.

To toe Editor of " The Timaru Herald." Sir —I have nothing but admiration for Mr T. D. Burnett's efforts on behalf of the men on the land in these difficult times and although the Government are endeavouring to meet the position and are giving concessions to Crown tenants, I cannot help feeling with Mr Burnett, that a great deal more could be done, in other directions through local boards (or as Mr Burnett terms them sub-provincial authorities), both to relieve unemployment, and to settle on the land the large number of men who have a small amount

of capital, but require a little assistance to enable them to take up small holdings. In this connection. I have evolved a scheme of land settlement, and would welcome criticism and advice in any direction in which it may be considered that the proposals could be varied or amended to advantage. Painful as it may be, the remedy *for most ailments is only found by getting to the root of the trouble, and apart from world conditions beyond our control, I think a great deal of our trouble arises from faulty administration of land. Land settlement has not functioned in the best interests of primary production. We have had too much land settlement “for the people.” and not enough land settlement “by the people.” The chief object of my scheme is to ensure the best possible use being made of local conditions. to substitute practical knowledge where theoretical knowledge and technicalities have been playing too great a part in the administration and valuation of land. Leasehold land has been assessed on a freehold basis, and freehold generally has been a speculative value. The Land Act provides that the value of land is the selling price, which is not practical, as land values cannot rise and fall in sympathy with fluctuating prices for primary products

Owing to the increased demand for small farms, the supply is inadequate. There has been quite a number of sales made recently of small farms, but the quality of land in small areas, is not up to the standard. Young men with limited capital, who cannot get relief- work, are desperate to get on the land, and there is a risk of them having to pay more than the land is worth, and their small capital disappearing before the slump disappears. The men negotiating for small areas are of the right type, most of them having been born and bred to farm occupation, but having previously left the country, in search of better jobs in the towns. The depression is now driving them back to the land. We are offered better value in say 300 acres than in small holdings. I would suggest subdividing large areas of freehold into 50 to 100 acres according to quality, the land to be selected by the intending applicants personally, or in conjunction with their agent. The applicants who have to work the land and sink their earnings into it, must be in a position to bargain in regard to the, price to be paid. This has not been the case under Government land settlement, and the scheme must therefore be free from political interference. As the applicants would not have sufficient capital to erect buildings on these small holdings, it is suggested that the Government finance the erection of a small dwelling, similar to those being built by them on the five and ten acre blocks, repayment on long term table mortgage. A local board of say three members to be appointed, one being a Government representative to approve of any purchases made. Little finance will be required, as most properties are offered at the mortgage, or within easy reach of the mortgage. There is no reason why the hundreds of young men, with say £3OO to £BOO now roaming the country in search of land, should not get land where they can earn a living, and eventually drift into the ranks of the unemployed. If New Zealand’s bulk production is being threatened, through financial stringency. there is no reason why it should not be built up in the direction indicated and so help to save those on the land who are putting up a big fight to win through.—l am. etc.— TERTIUS M. MUNRO. Timaru. July 8.