LAND DEVELOPMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19100, 10 November 1933, Page 9

LAND DEVELOPMENT

■ i SATISFACTORY PROGRESS. SYSTEMS OF SETTLEMENT. SMALL FARMS SCHEME.

(Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Thursdy. Referring to land development in his Budget speech last evening the Finance -Minister (Right lion. J. G. Coates) said:— The additional capital provided for land development Is being Invested under the supervision of the Lands Development Board and satisfactory progress Is being made under a programme aimed at the development cf 26,000 acres of various blocks. Of this area some 16,000 acres are now in new grass, while a further 9000 acres are in various stages of development. At times upwards of one thousand men have been engaged in fencing, roading, and cultivation, and at the present time over two hundred men are employed on the various blocks. Approximately £286,000 has been expended on development, operations and on roading works, surveys, 6tc. One of the most interesting areas is the Ngakuru block of over 14,000 acres, near Rotorua, where light pum- / ice country, typical of large areas hitherto regarded as incapable of economic development, Is being successfully converted into dairying land. Excellent pasture has been established, and the demonstration farm run on the block by the Lands Development Board has returned a profit after Interest has been charged on the capital involved. The average butterfat return per cow on this farm w r as 2391 b. The block will provide about 50 dairy farms, and it is proposed to offer 'the bulk of the land for selection early next year. Work On Galatea Estate. I might also mention that on the Galatea Estate of 22,000 aores a good deal of improvement work has been effected, and it is proposed to offer 20 sections In February, 1934, not less than 30 sections early in 1935, 1 and a similar number in succeeding years until the whole estate has been settled. A demonstration farm is being established, and the remainder of the estate is being run as a mixed farm with satisfactory results. The prospects for successful settlement of this estate are considered to be very bright. In addition to developing large blocks of land prior to cutting up for settlement, advances are being made by the Lands Development Board to Individual settlers who have taken up undeveloped Crown land. To date , approximately £IBB,OOO has been advanced to 435 selectors, and the scheme, which is being closely super-, vised by the board. Is giving good results in the development of unimproved country and a consequent increase in production. Settlers generally are meeting'the charges on their loans in a satisfactory manner."' Development and improvement of Native lands is also being pushed forward. the work being carried out under two distinct systems according to the nature and size of the holdings and the willingness of the Native communities to co-operate In their efforts. Development Schemes. The other system adopted, where there is a large area of unoccupied or partially occupied land, consists Of development in a comprehensive manner by the Department’s own workmen under the direction and supervision of departmental offloers. The workmen are drawn from the owners of the lands being dealt with, but in some oases oolonles of trained workmen have been introduced from other districts with the consent of the owners of the land in order that the local men may receive instruction in sU'Ti work as fencing and cultivation. At March 31, 1933. there were 1050 separate holdings in active production either under the assisted unit system or being carried out by selected wage milkers, and this number will be considerably increased each year as the development of the land now in hand is completed and selection!: are made ready for stocking. The number of cows being milked during the present season exceeds twenty thousand. The third phase of land development Is being carried out under the small farm plan. As honourable members are aware, the object of this plan Is the settlement of unemployed workers on the land, thereby providing them with a permanent occupation in our basic industries, where their efforts will indirectly assist in providing work for other persons at present unemployed. The scheme is to be extended as much as possible. There Is one very satisfactory feat ure of the scheme, and that is the immediate absorption of unemployed on land development work. The Small Farms Board has in hand the improvement of areas aggregating 30,000 acres, which when subdivided should provide for over 280 families. In addition, it has in prospect for development some 13,000 acres, which should provide for the ultimate settlement pf approximately 200 families. Briefly summarised, the net results of the small farm scheme from its inception are as follows: At April to April 15 Nov. Small holdings 488 179 Sharemilking applications . 205 50 Individual holdings in •prospect 480 753 709 Grand total 1,402