SMALL FARMS ACT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21819, 23 November 1940, Page 8

SMALL FARMS ACT

Minister Explains Amendments Confiscation Of Land Not Intended By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, November 22. The intention of the Government to proceed with the Small Farms Amendment Bill when the session of Parliament is resumed next week was mentioned by the Minister of Lands (Hon. F Langstone) in an interview to-night. The Minister said that there was no question of confiscation of land, and a fair price was to be paid for any land acquired for rehabilitation of soldiers. Omy areas suitable for carrying a greater population and suitable for subdivision would be taken under- the provisions of the Bill. The Bill now before Parliament, said Mr Langstone, differed in one regard from the Small Farms Act originally passed in the 1933 session. Under the original bill a Small Farms Board had power to take land which was not being adequately farmed and the board itself fixed the price. The owner could object on two grounds, that the land was being adequately farmed and that not sufficient land was left to provide adequately for the needs of the farmer and his family. "Parliament at that time made no demur about giving power to the Small Farms Board to fix the price to be paid and that is law to-day,’’ the Minister said. "The legislation now under consideration provides for no arbitrary assessment by a Government department but by a court to be presided over by a magistrate who will be specially qualified to deal with the question. The owner appoints his own assessor. The Crown also has a representative. That is a fair representation to arrive at the just value or price.” The Minister said that clause 14*of the original Act, which provided for the compulsory acquisition or other dealing with land not being adequately farmed was being repealed by the Bill which did not in any wav interfere with the acquisition of land under the Lands for Settlement Act, or with the provisions for the taking of land under the Public Works Act. Acquisitions under the Public Works Act were for a totally different purpose than the settlement of persons on land. Certain applicable machinery clauses in the Public Works Act had been incorporated in the new amending bill. FARMERS IN FIGHTING MOOD By Telegraph—Press Association PALMERSTON N.. November 22. One of the largest meetings of farmers ever held in the Pahiatua district was addressed by Mr Lloyd Hammond, Mr A. P. O'Shea (Dominion secretary of the Farmers’ Union) and Sir Alfred Ransom. The following resolution was passed: -This representative meeting of farmers emphatically protests against the proposed amendment of the Small Farm Act as, if it becomes law, it permits the confiscation of owners’ interests and the bill is a gross invasion on the liberties of subjects.” Farmers were in fighting mood and expressed themselves in strong terms.