Opposed To Land Deal

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31083, 11 June 1966, Page 3

Opposed To Land Deal

(Parliamentary Reporter) HAMILTON June 10. The Taupo-Rotorua branch of Federated Farmers is “deeply concerned” that American interests may be permitted to purchase farm lands in the Taupo area.

Mr R. H. Martin, president <rf the branch said today, negotiations are being carried out by Americans, who will be absentee-owners, to purchase five blocks of land totalling 62,000 acres, a few miles from Taupo.

“We are concerned that these foreign people can ob-

tain this land while being absentee-owners,” he said. “It could develop into another take-over bid, on a small scale. Once they get a leg in, they could start to buy the best of our land, and in so doing would deprive many of our young farmers of the chance to get their own farms.” Mr Martin said the RotoruaTaupo branch of Federated Fanners had taken the matter up with its local members of Parliament, and the matter would be raised at the meeting of Federated Fanners’ Dominion Council In September. Mr Martin said the land was worth £1,250,000 about £2O an acre. “The Government seems to

think this purchase Is good, as it means a fair number of American dollars coming into the country, but we are very concerned that these foreign absentee-owners can just come in and buy up large blocks of land when our young farmers are finding it so difficult to get land.” Mr Martin said the land was mainly cattle and sheep country. Some of it was being fanned, some was in need of improvement and one block was still undeveloped. “We don’t want to spoil a sale by the present owners, but, at the same time, we don’t like the idea of the owners not living in New Zealand.”