CROWN LANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 229, 30 September 1935, Page 8

CROWN LANDS

RECONDITIONING SCHEME WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED MINISTER’S LATEST FLAN I Per Press AssociaUon. ] WELLINGTON, Sept. 28. A scheme which would not only provide for the utilisation of a large proportion of unemployed labour, hut would also recondition ami sal v age existing Crown securities and ultimately permanently remove from the unemployment register a considerable number of men, was outlined today by the Lauds Minister (Hon. E. A. Ransom). He pointed out that in the central North Island there were a great number of abandoned Crown sections, which should and could be profitably developed, provided the costs of labour and supervision were not loaded on to the land. Generally, these holdings were found to be too large for the financial and practical ability of the former holder, whereas if they were subdivided and developed they would provide for two or more families a better living than, that obtained by the former occupier. The development and provision of access to these lands would provide immediate employment for 500 men, au-i e within six months that number could be increased to 1000 or .1500. The scheme was really an extension of the Small Farms Board’s operations, and could be operated under the existing legislation. The securities mentioned were deteriorating, and it was only a matter of time when the Crown’s mortgage interest would vanish if some action was not taken.

Mr. Ransom said that his proposal was to start with the securities the Government had ou hand, ami recondition them with free unemployed labour, the Small Farms Board finding the capital cost for the materials, etc., all of the departments connected with the scheme to bear their own supervision and administration costs.

“As the scheme proceeds we could arrange to take over other doubtful securities from the Mortgage Corporation. In those cases whers the original settler is still in occupation of the property he can, if he is suitable, be made foreman in charge of the camp reconditioning the farm, and he can eventually be allotted one of the subdivisions. Thus would assist the present occupier, whose position to-day is hopeless. ’ ’ Mr. Ransom said that it was felt that with free labour a fair proportion of the -Crown’s mortgages could be salvaged under the scheme. The major benefits would be: (1) The immediate employment of a large number of unemployed men on definitely productive work; (2) the ultimate establishment of a large number of families on the land, such settlement commencing not later than two years from the beginning of the development operations; (3) the profitable utilisation of lands which now are not only unoccupied and unproductive but on account of the infestation with noxious weeds and rabbits are a menace to adjacent farm lands; (4) the scheme embodies the salvaging of a largo sum of public money, which would otherwise be irrecoverable; (5) it gives assistance to existing settlors, whose position is at present hopcles. ’ ’