SMALL FARM SCHEME.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19052, 16 September 1933, Page 5

SMALL FARM SCHEME.

PROGRESS TO DATE. DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED. PROSPECTS MORE SATISFACTORY. WELLINGTON, Friday. The Minister in charge of the Small Farms Unemployment Act scheme, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, when discussing the progress of the scheme to-day, said although the number of men placed was not large, the number in prospect was fairly satisfactory. "The result of the board’s operations to date may be briefly stated as follows Placed on individual holdings, 140 men; established as sharemilkers, 50 men; employed on land development, 300 men,” said Mr Ransom. "The work of land development represents the most important phase of the board’s work to date. It has in hand improvement of areas which aggregate 16,000 acres, and Which when subdivided will provide for the establishment of 154 families. In addition, It has in prospeot for development areas approximating 14,000 acres, which should provide for the ultimate settlement of over 250 families. The Immediate value Of this side of the board’s work Is 'the fact that during this summer no fewer than 1000 men will toe employed in reproductive work. “The method adopted is to establish camps of men recruited through the nearest employment bureau, clean up areas as rapidly as possible, and when they are ready for settlement to select future - holders from those who have proved their ability during the development operations. Some of the more important of the areas which have been or are about to be put In hand are 1600 sores at Tutamoe, north of Dargaville; 2000 acres, ■near Te Kultl, 1000 acres at Reporoa, near Rotorua, given for the purpose by Mr E. Earle Valle, 2100 acres at Murupara, near Galatea, Rotorua district, 1400 acres at Motutangl, North Auckland, 1100 acres at Hokianga, 1000 acres near Raetihi, 800 acres at iKaltaia, and 500 acres near Kaitala. Clearing Deteriorated Land. ‘‘Another Important branch of the board’s work Is that of undertaking the cleaning up of properties in localities where holdings are too large and have deteriorated, and arranging with the settlers concerned for the surrender of portions of their holdings in return for the development work carried out. Arrangements are well in hand to put it into effect in the Malroa district, near Te Kuiti. This method of settlement will also be extended in other suitable localities. “With those who have been looking to the small farm plan to provide for the early settlement of a large number of our. unemployed men, I am naturally dfsappolifteS at the small •number so far actually placed on individual holdings," continued the Minister. "This has been due to the fact that the board found it difficult to secure any appreciable area of land suitable for Immediate settlement. More reasonable offers are now being received and during the past month the board has approved of the acquisition of 4580 acres of private land, which will prdvide for 81 holdings. “The experience of the board indicates that there is an Inclination on the part of owners to hold their properties for a rise In values, and If it Is found that the present system of voluntary acquisition fails to secure an adequate area, the question of Invoking the compulsory clauses of the Act will Yiave to be given serious consideration. The system of placing unemployed families on “full time” farms was probably the most effective method of permanently transferring men from the ranks of the unemployed, and this was the objective of the board.