REHABILITATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 30, 27 September 1946, Page 5

REHABILITATION

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT At the invitation of the Whakatane County ’Council, Mr C. R. Wilson, Chairman of the Farming Sub-Committee for Rehabilitation, attended the last meeting of the Council and outlined the position with regard to areas of land at Pikowai, and between Ruatoki and Waiohau which had been deferred settlement under the rehabilitation scheme owing to materials for development not being available.

Opening his subject, Mr Wilson stated that the lands in question had already been considered by the Committee but they were listed, as he termed them, as 2nd class lands when compared with others available already partially developed, and held up only for the want of certain materials. These latter, he added were already roaded and supplied with other amenities, and it was a better proposition to complete these first than to attempt to bring in new land.

There was, however, he said, nothing to stop a man taking up a certain area if it could be safely felt that it would be an economical proposition, i.e. would be in production within a reasonable time. To put men on the Pikowai area or the other one named, would require at least miich fertiliser, and this for a start, was not available. There were now approximately 70 ex-servicemen settled or in the process of being settled on land in the Committee’s area, and 29 'were training with approved farmers. In all instances stress had been laid on the necessity for the establishment of what was termed an economical unit. A basis for this was 70 cows. In addition, the Committee was concerned with the average ability of the men with whom they dealt. Most were young men feeling their way along... He added that the Minister, within the scope of the act, had proved most helpful. Continuing, Mr Wilson said that when rehabilitation of ex-service-men on to the land was undertaken, every endeavour was made to assist them. Even after they had been setup, they were still an obligation to the Committee, but in turn, the men had an obligation towards the Committee.

Briefly, he concluded, the whole position was such that until the land which was the easiest to develop and was a more economical proposition to the ex-serviceman had been brought in, it was better to use the .-.materials available to • develop the areas which would come in first. The Chairman (Mr J. L. Burnett): What would the attitude of the Department be to a man asking to be settled on this land. If a man was willing to take it on, would he receive assistance?

Mr Wilson: Yes, but it is not considered an economical proposition to have one maiv on a block like that. If a group of men were of the same mind the matter could be discussed with them. -

Cr Luxton: I know the Department does not look favourably upon an individual settler "going on to unimproved property. •

Cr Cawte: No doubt there is a lot of country in these areas spoken of, but I think it is the best way to handle the easier country first with the amenities available.

The Chairman, thanking Mr Wilson for his address, stated that one. of the main reasons which prompted the Council to put forward the proposition was that a request for increased pi-oduction had been made, and taking one man off a developed farm to put another on had not--seemed to fall in line with this. The position, however, had been made clear.

Discussing the matter later, the Council reached a decision that the Lands Department branch of the Lands and Survey should be asked to investigate the opening for settlement of Pikowai lands, and that lands between Ruatoki and Waiohau should, be inspected by a committee consisting of Crs Luxton, Butler, Cawte, Wardlaw and McGougan.