FARMERS AND THE BALLOT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3009, 21 February 1917, Page 6

FARMERS AND THE BALLOT

THE MEN CALLED UP

DISPOSAL OF THEIR LANDS

SUGGESTIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT

A\ith the continued calling up of men through the progressive ballots, problems are daily coming to light, and the Government, with a view to meeting those bearing on the industrial production of the country have entrusted the- newly created industrial Efficiency Board with the task of devising schemes for the reduction of hardship upon the. reservist called up, and the upkeep of the productive power of the •farm lands of the Dominion. Mr. J. A. Young. M.l\, Waikato, who lias given some time arid thought to the subject, and discussed it with, the Farmers' Union Federation of Te Awamutu, aiid individual settlers interested, with, a view to meeting some of the difficulties raised, _is now in Wellington to place the position before the Government. As the Acting-Prime Minister, Sir "James Allen, is at. present absent in the South Island, Mr. Young took the opportunity to place the views of the Te Awamutu'Farmers' Union Federation, whrfjn lie is representing, before the Industrial Efficiency Board. He discussed the position as it affects called up farmer soldiers with Mr. AV. Ferguson, chairman, and' Mr. AA 7 . D. Hunt, the Otago member. TJie chairman indicated that the

board had discussed the matter, anc had made recommendations to.tlic-Gov< eminent in respect to farmers' freeholc , interests only, somewhat on the lines indicated by the executive. of the Ti Awamutu Farmers' Union Federation. Sir. Young informed the member! that in the Auckland Province, especially in the King Country districts, the ■- problem of the native leaseholder was very real, and when the ballots reached the Second Division there would be difficulties for sonieone unless a workable solution was arrived at. The board advised Mr. Young to pel those affected to state their precise difficulties and place them before Mr. J. H. Gunson, of Auckland, who is the Auckland provincial representative on the board, whose duty-it would be tc see that they received consideration. 1 This Te Awamutu Federation' oi .Farmers' Unions, to which Mr. Young refers, is ono of the biggest organisations of its kind in the country, having a membership of., 500 members.' If has been considering lately the difficulties confronting farmers called up in the ballot. In December last", a meeting passed the following resolution:— "In justice to the men who are-called up for service abroad, and not able to make satisfactory arrangements forithe care of 'their farms, and also as an' aid to voluntary enlistment, -that the Governm'ent bo urged to purchase the farms of. these men with a view of settling those now , returning; from the front upon them." A committee was set up to formulate proposals in more detail, and this comjnittee on February 10 put its scheme into shape;' It called, in to its conference Mr. Young, M.P., and authorised him to submit its proposals to the Government on behalf of the Federated Farmers' Union. Following is the draff of the proposals prepared by tliis .committee:— ' , . .'/ (1) That when requested by a calledup soldier farmer, the Government Valuer shall wait upon such called-u[: soldier farmer and endeavour to arrange a selling price, a local valuer nominated by the ealled-up soldier farmer to be appointed-.'to assist the Governmeui Valuer. : • (2) Value to be- paid in Government bonds if freehold; if leasehold, the Government to take over- farm and purchase the'occupier's interest," or, in the alternative, the Government to negotiate on behalf of the holder of the lease for of his interest to a suitable p/urchaser, and in the event of a lessor refusing to accept the Government or the Government's nominee as the lessee, then the-lessor should be compelled to purchase at valuation the lessee's interest in'the lease. ''

(3) 411 payments or compensation to be paid or guaranteed by/the Government; in, connection .with either freehold or leasehold interests to be paid in Government bonds. (4) It will be' a suggestion to the government that the rate 'of interest payable on these bonds be not less than 5 per cent. (5) In settling land under this.scheme it i 6 suggested that care be exercised in assuring that as far a's possible men of experience in farming be accorded preference. (fi) Repayments to be made to the Government on the lines provided in the Land Settlement Finance-Act.