SMALL FARM PLAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 152, 30 June 1932, Page 5

SMALL FARM PLAN

COTTAGE ACCOMMODATION ERECTION OF COWSHEDS. It has now been decided, in addition to the main small farm pian scheme, that in order to absorb as many registered unemployed married men as possible, either (1) cottages for farm-workers, or (2) cottages and milking sheds, will be erected where approved on the following conditions, viz., (.1) Where an additional married farm-worker could be permanently employed, but who would not otherwise be employed unless a cottage was provided, this will be erected, and it will not be necessary for the Government to lease any land as a site in such cases. The farmer in such cases must agree to pay tho Crown interest and sinkingfund on the capital cost of the cottage •covering a period of twenty halfyearly payments at the rate of £6 8s 4d per cent. No interest sinking-fund charges to bo recovered with the lapse of one year from the date of erection, after which twenty halfyearly payments at the rate of £6 8s 4d per cent, arc to be paid by tho farmer.

After the expiration of three years from the date of completion of the cottage the farmer may purchase the cottage by giving six months’ notice in writing. The farmer mus| make his own arrangements in regard to engaging and dismissing the occupier of the cottage, and the only stipulation he must abide by is that until the cottage has become his property the farmer must at all times keep it occupied by a registered unemployed married man so long as registered unemployed married men are available. The farmer must, provide sufficient land for the use of the unemployed man to meet his garden requirements. In all such cases tho unemployed man must be permanently employed by the farmer, and such employee will not be given any sustenance whatsoever whilst occupying tho cottage. The farmer must insure the cottage and keep it in a reasonable state of repair. (2) Where an additional dairy herd is being established, but which would not. otherwise be milked, unless a cottage and four-sta’l milking shed was provided for them, these buildings will be erected at a cost not to exceed £250, and no land will be required on lease as a site for suvh buildings. The fanner must agree to pay the Crown interest and sinkingfund on tho capital cost of the buildings covering a period of twenty halfyearly payments at tho rate of £6 8s 4d per cent. After the. expiration of th ice years the farmer may purchase the buildings by giving six months’ notice in writing. No interest or sinking-t’umi charges to he recovered until the lapse of one year from the date of erection, after which twenty half-yearly payments at the rate of £6 8s 4d per cent, are to be paid by the farmer. The farmer must make his own arrangements to engage or dismiss such emp oyec, the onl} stipulation being that ho must, so long as the Government lias an interest in such buildings, agree to keep the same occupied by a registered unemployed married man is such are available. The .farmer must agree to milk a sufficient number of cows in the new shed to safeguard tho Crown’s interest in the buildings erected. ’1 he farmer must agree to milk a suffici; ni number of rows t p-’ovido an annua’ income of not les i ian £lO4 to the

share-milker on a share-milkiug agreement, or failing this to pay the man not less than £2 per week. Tho sharemilker will be given a sustenance allowance by the State until such time as the first milk or cream Vheque is received, after which the payment as specified above shall commence. In the case of a weekly wage no sustenance from the State’ will be paid to the employee. When necessary as a result of default on the farmer’s part to meet his obligations, the Crown to have the power to arrange for orders on thr milk or cream cheque. The farmer to provide sufficient land for the use of the employee’s garden requirements. The farmer may desire to supply goods specified in the contract in regard to the milking shed, such as gravel for concrete, posts for yard, etv., and if so an adjustment may be made in the total cost of the shed. Applications from farmers willing to lease under the small farm plan or for the erection of cottage tor farm-workers, or cottages and (fourstal') milking sheds, should bo made to the local representative of the Department of Agriculture, from whom all further detailed information is available.