SMALL FARM SCHEME.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18642, 21 May 1932, Page 6

SMALL FARM SCHEME.

MEETING AT TE AWAMUTU. INTERESTING ADDRESS. A fairly well attended meeting of farmers and other? interested in the small farm scheme promoted by the Government, was held at Te Awamutu on Friday evening, to hear Mr Cockayne, of the Department of Agriculture, and Mr W. J. Broadfoot, M.P., explain the details of tiie plan. The Mayor (Mr C. G. Downes) presided.

Dir Broadfoot said the main idea was to get more men on the soil, and further, to relieve some of those farmers who had rather more land than they required. He was also in favour of what is known as the Bryant scheme which is the same idea on a private scale.

Mr Cockayne, Assistant Director of Agriculture, who was greeted with applause, outlined the scheme. He pointed out that It was the farmers who could make the plan worth while, not the Government. Committees of farmers were being set up in the various districts, with the idea of selecting the land for the sections, and also the men, and then assisting them with sound advice. Each section would cost approximately £250 at the start, and this amount would come from a special fund. Tho sustenance would come from the unemployment levy. The work of tiie committees would not cease with the settlcihcnt of the man on the section, luit would continue until lie was on his l’eet.

To a question Mr Cockayne said the holding would eventually become a freehold, provided Ihc man was successful. In the meantime, tlie Grown would be responsible To another question ‘ tho lecturer said the special fund, totalling approximately £500,000, had been arranged for by the Government at a reasonable rale of ini crest. It was expected Hint the holders would lie rent free for a certain period, and it was hoped lo recover if later. The total rent would tic about 10s a week, against at least 15s or •;noro where lliev arc.

Other questions were answered, and a vote or thanks lo Hie speakers and lo tlm chairman concluded a very interesting meeting.