The Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1934. unemployment and land.

Wairarapa Age, 15 February 1934, Page 4

The Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1934. unemployment and land.

In any survey of the treatment of unemployment in this country, nothing is more disheartening and unsatisfactory than the lame and halting progress made in placing unemployed people, including those who are well versed, in rural industry, on the land. Whatever may be the state of external or internal markets, the best ultimate resource of the people of New Zealand is the possibility of earning at least a living by their own work on the land in a country singularly favoured, bynature. In the establishment of the small farm scheme there is some evidence of official appreciation of this elementary faet, but in a period that is extending into years, the amount of settlement achieved in relief of unemployment is quite trifling. In some observations on this subject which should command wide attention, the Hon. c. J. Carrington points out that since July, 1931, the sum of ten millions subscribed by the people by way of unemployment taxation, together with £500,000 from the Consolidated Fund has been disbursed in relief of unemployment. Yet, up to September last, only 643 men, or 1 -per eent. of the unemployed had been placed on individual holdings. Mr. Carrington finds an explanation of this miserable state of affairs in the faet that the members of the Small Farms Board are steeped in departmentalism and look with suspicion on any method that has not been tried out and placed on their files for reference. “Their vision,’’ he observes, “is naturally restricted to the departmental files and their actions are governed by the depUrlmental regulations, which, for the present purpose, are entirely obsolete.’’ Mr. Carrington urges, amongst other thingy that competent farmers desirous of doing so should be given an opportunity- of breaking Tn new holdings for themselves—this as an alternative to the departmental policy of placing settlers only on improved and ready-made farms. In the meantime (Mr. Carrington states) many sturdy, experienced fanners, now unemployed in the city, are anxious for an opportunity to take their wives and families back to the land where they hope to make another home. The policy- of the Small Farms Board is to separate husband and wife for an indefinite period, until ready-made farms are available for some of them.

The position, of course, is complicated by the poor market now available for dairy produce and the uncertain prospects in dairy export trade. In these circumstances, it is evidently unwise that settlement intended to remedy unemployment should take the form only of the extension of settlement on farms intended to -provide the whole support of the occupiers and their

families. Small holding settlement. in association with casual and supplementary employment, which if. necessary may be in industrial production; by small holders for the satisfaction of their awn needs, has the strongestclaims to practical consideration. Given the right organising enterprise) thousands of families undoubtedly might •: be established and provided, for in these , conditions within a very limited period. Experience to date go.es far to demonstrate, however, that any State : scheme of this kind will degenerate ’into unprofitable tinkering. The-hope ’ of better things, if it exists at all,’ is in vigorous local action in individual districts in promoting the extension of small holding settlement. If anything ■ is to be accomplished, there must- be a minimum of State responsibility and the dead hand of departmental officialism must be lifted from the enterprise.