MEN FOR THE COUNTRY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1512, 7 August 1912, Page 6

MEN FOR THE COUNTRY.

g NEW FARMERS' UNION SCHEME. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, August b. Steps are being taken by tlic Auckland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union to draw up a proposal to solve- the problem of how to induce town labourers to migrate to country districts to take up farming work. The main idoas of the proposal have ljeen given to a "Herald" representative by the Auckland provincial Fecrctary. The latter said that it was useless to erect workers' homes upon small areas of land, as the occupants would be entirely dependent upon tho work which they were able to secure from fanner. l . Their interests, too, would probably become opposed to those-of the farmers, and, no doubt, disagreeable class distinctions would' be set up. "It will be found," continued Mr. Schmitt, "that, unless provision is made for workers to bo able to earn a part of their living on their own land, any scheme for the erection of workers' homes will fail to meet the requirements of the doy. We will probably ask the Government to erect workers' homos upon an' area of not less than 10 acres," ho continued, "more being allowed according to the quality of the land in different districts. These farms should bo given on certain conditions, with right to acquire Iho freehold. In reality, there would bo formed small settlements from which men foiMarm work could be drawn when necessary, but, when not needed, these men could work upon their own lands, and would not, therefore, bo solely dependent upon farniers for their living. The lesser cost of living, and the healthy surroundings, should attract married men to the country, with the result that a healthy country population would spring up. _ "Tho workers, homes, of course," ho continued, "would bo spread nver all j>rnvinee e . the number being regulated by tho demand for labour. The farmers and the Government should decide that question, and care would have to bo taken that there was not a. greater supply than the demand. The advantage of this proposal over any others that have • been .submitted to. the Government before, is Hint class distinctions would be avoided. Tho men would, to a great extent, be farmers themselves, and their interests would bo identical with those of tho farmers who employed them. There are many married men in tho city who would be only ton glad to get into tho country under

these condition?.