HOMES FOR RURAL WORKERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1495, 18 July 1912, Page 7

HOMES FOR RURAL WORKERS.

AX INTF.RESTINO SIJtIGESTIOX. (fiv Telegraph—.Special Correspondent.) s Auckland, July IT. An intere-ting proposal, which aims at attempting to -alve the problem of labour shortages in country district- in times of harvests and Hush seasons is to be pineal before the executive of the Xew Zealand .Farmers' Union (Auckland province) at it.s monthly meeting early in August. The suggestion which emanates from the provincial secretary (Mr. A. Schmitt) is, that the Government should inaugurate a scheme tor the erection of workers' homes in country districts on lines similar to tho-c adopted in some of the suburbs of the principal'.cities of the Dominica, except that small areas of land should be attached to each dwelling. The id<w. is, of course, tluit ill slack seasons, when general farm-work is scarce, the occupants of the proposed homes might engage in small farming; also that all th» yoar round they might carry on mixed farming to a small extent with tlio sid of their families. When seen by a reporter this morning Mr. Schmitt stated that the matter had been discussed by the country branches and a largo number of favourable resolutions'lwd been sent in for presentation to the provincial executive. The only point nit which there was any want of unanimity, he said, was in regard to the area of land which should be attached to the dwelling. The original,suggestion was that the quantity of llund should be 15 to 20 acres. What muiSt be decided was the amount of land likely to aid sufficiently in supporting the occupants and families in the off seasons without making them feel independent of' outside work. It was considered, Mr. Schmitt stated, that every care should be taken to avoid the creation of any class feeling, and with that'end in view the country workers should be given as much incentive as possible to work their holdings to the best advantage, beinK regarded more in the light of small formers than agricultural labourers. Areas of suitable land might be resumed by the Government in . leading agricultural districts, ami divided Mp iin tin- manner indicated for the erection of suitable dwellings. Mr. Schmitt expressed theopininn that such a policy would he instrumental in causing iln extension of the system of' small fanning which w/is so valuable to au agricultural country like Xew Zealand. »