ASSURANCE WANTED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20831, 15 June 1939, Page 11

ASSURANCE WANTED

OWNERSHIP OF FARMS WAIKATO SETTLEMENT SCHEME REQUESTS TO LANDS DEPARTMENT (Special to Times) TE AWAMUTU, Wednesday Under the auspices of the Small Farms Settlers' Association, a meeting of "occupiers and settlers” employed on the Kairangi, Harakariki and and Wharepapa blocks of the Waikato Land Settlement Scheme was held recently at Te Awamutu. There was a good attendance presided over by Mr J. Clark, of Ngatamahine, the secretary, Mr J. Jones, of Te Kuiti, being present also. The meeting had been called pursuant to a resolution of the general meeting held on May 27 at Te Kuiti, and the business had been placed under sixteen headings covering matters affecting the settlers on all blocks under the supervision of the Lands Department. The secretary explained that the settlers were in a position of doubt as to the allocation of sections and the tenures. The points covered by the headings referred to by the chairman were for tjhe purpose of obtaining an assurance from Ihe Department as to allocation, tenure and valuation of the sections. Many settlers had for some five or six years been living in cottages on what they considered their own particular sections, but they had no assurance that such would eventually be the case. Some were giving up hope of ever reaching the goal they had worked for. Housing Needs The items for discussion were then taken seriatim, some at considerable length especially those which covered the promises made to the settlers. Housing was ardently discussed and it was felt that the standard set by the Government in its housing work should apply to settlers’ homes. It was decided to ask the Department to have the sections surveyed immediately, ring-fenced, allotted and built upon as soon as possible. Lengthy discussion dealt with the problem of ragwort and it was reso’ved that the Department be called upon to deal with the matter more vigorously, especially on established pastures. The opinion was expressed that Ihe Minister of Lands, the chairman of the Small Farms’ Board and the Superintendent of Land Development Blocks should pay an early visit to the areas and make annual inspections on which they would be accompanied by delegates from each block and "the particular settlers. Probationary Scheme The system of probation was another subject and it was decided to confirm the resolution passed in April to the effect that the prospective settlers should be given the opportunity of developing their sections for a probationary period of two years on wages—or a lesser period —under supervision, so that the efficiency of the settler and the productivity of the section could be tested and then allocation of his section and tenure could be determined. Other matters were the arrangement of lectures and demonstrations by Departmental officers on pasture management and other relevant subjects. The meeting agreed unanimously that there was over-valuation when productivity was the basis of valuation. ___