SMALL FARMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 107, 9 May 1933, Page 8

SMALL FARMS

PUSHING THE SCHEME GOVERNMENT’S DESIRE. WELLINGTON, Alay 8. The desire of the Government to expedite the settlement of unemployed mon under the Small Farms (Relief of Unemployment) Act was stressed by Iho Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) in a statement issued at the week-end. Mr. Ransom said the Government was very anxious to expedite the settlement of unemployed men under the Act, and every effort wan being made in that direction. The Small Farms Board had been set up, and th’.: board ’s first duty was to sot up local committees to assist it in th 3 administration of the scheme. Such committees would bo appointed at. an early date. Attention had also to be given to the necessary regulations, forms, etc., and the establishment of the organisation, all of which wore wcil under way. “This,” said tho Minister, “of course, does not mean that the work is nt a standstill in the meantime, as tho Departments of Lands and Survey and Agriculture aro eo-operating in regard to propositions under the former sehemo (generally spoken of as the ten-acre scheme), and will continue to do so in connection with tno operations under the Act passed last session. It is therefore competent for any unemployed man eligible for relief to make application by filling in tho necessary form, which is procurable at the post, office, and lodging it with the nearest certifying officer, i.e., an officer of the Labour Department or a postmaster, who in turn submits it to the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district. Finding the Land. “The application will be duly recorded, and it will bo the duty of the board to find sufficient Crown or private land to settle as many of the applicants as possible. Special action in this connection is now being taken. In some cases an owner makes an offer of part of his farm and nominates an unemployed man as lessee. If applicants can arrange with an owner for the lease of a suitable area at a reasonable price, much assistance will be afforded the board. I desire to stress this feature of the business, as by following this suggestion tho unemployed man can assist both hi.msel 45 and the board, and greatly facilitate consideration of his application.” Mr. Ransom said he wished to pay a tribute to those men who had. spent both time and money while acting on the advisory committees under tho former scheme. “The Government,” the Minister continued, “will be pleased if these gentlemen will continue to act in an advisory capacity, and submit suggestions and recommendations to the local committees, which are shortly to be set up. These committees will investigate and submit to the board for consideration a report on the proposals. In this way the board will have the benefit of recommendations from men with local knowledge. Crown Lands Limited. “As is well knfcvn, Crown lands available for disposal under the scheme aro limited in extent and quality, but my department will carefully consider all lands which may become available from time to time. Seeing that the Crown lands are limited, the success of the scheme will largely depend on the amount of private land mat can be acquired on lease with right of purchase at a reasonable rent and price. In order to assist in the scheme, 1 would ask all owners who have lands available, and who are prepared. to leaso at reasonable rentals with right of purchase to submit particulars to the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district. “Tho Act provides for the compulsory acquisition by way of lease or private lands, but it is hoped that sufficient areas will be available at reasonable valuations by negotiation and thus obviate the necessity for compulsion. ’ ’