CALF SCHEME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 83, 22 September 1947, Page 6

CALF SCHEME

MINISTER’S COMMENTS SOLDIER SETTLEMENT BLOCKS Enlarging on a reference he made during his recent review of exservicemen land settlement regarding the purchase of well-bred calves for re-purchase by ex-servicemen on Crown blocks, the. Minister of Rehabilitation, the Hon. C. F. Skinner, traced the origin of the scheme and commented on how it had progressed.

When it became evident that there might be a shortage of dairy heifers, sai.. _.i A/r uiisier, the Lands and Survey Department had consulted the New Zealand Dairy Board and adopted a scheme for the purchase of selected calves. These were to be grazed on Crown lands until they reached the in-profit stage and be then to subdivisions of development blocks being opened for settlement by exservicemen or sold to ex-servicemen established on single unit farms. The scheme was first put into operation in the 1944-45 season, when 2083 calves were bought. During the following season a further 1607 calves were purchased. As stated in his recent review, more than 5000 calves had now been purchased under the scheme. Districts in which purchases were made had of necessity to be limited to those within reasonable distance of the blocks where grazing was available. Those districts were mainly Wellington, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Te Kuiti and North Auckland.

Calves were purchased only from farmers who were active members of herd testing groups. Prices paid were the subject of negotiations between the Lands Department and the Dairy Board. Both heifer and bull calves were from high testing parent stock. In addition, the Department had been making purchases on the outside market to provide for any needs not covered by the arrangement with the Dairy Board.

The plan had proved a great success, added the Minister, and thanks were due to the Dairy Board and herd testing officials, as well as to members of herd testing associations who had made calves available for the scheme. He had been pleased to announce that the Dairy Board had agreed to continue the scheme and he was sure many ex-service-men would benefit from it.