CROWN TENANTS

Evening Star, Issue 22441, 11 September 1936, Page 8

CROWN TENANTS

BEST YEAR SINCE THE SLUMP LAND DEPARTMENT'S REPORT [From Ouk Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 11, The most satisfactory year since the slump period for Crown settlers is announced in the annual report of the Lands Department, covering the position of 37,328 Crown tenants, occupying nearly 19 million acres. Following on the reinstatement of the revaluation provisions of the Land Act, a considerable number of applications have been received for revaluation, and a careful review is being made. Arrears of rent total £1,013,000, last year’s remissions being £151,000, but the department’s income of £l,276,000 showed an increase of over £16,000, comparing favourably with the income for 1933, of £742,000. The 1 aim of the department (states the report) is to keep all deserving settlers on their holdings, and it is pleasing t| report that the majority are doing Iheir part and making every effort to meet their obligations.

During the year there has been an indication of renewed confidence in the future of farming, there being fair demand for properties for sheep and dairy farming. The selections for the year totalled 210,000 acres. The small v farms scheme’ has not maintained the progress of the previous period, factors slowing up the rate of new works on these marginal lands being the increasing difficulty of obtaining land from private sources, and the increasing cost of many commodities (particularly building materials), which rendered it difficult to equip new holdings at a cost within the limit of £1,200 per man settled, and inability towards the end of the year to obtain sufficient men to carry out the development work. Camps were established on certain blocks in the King Country (adds the report), but owing to the shortage of men, had to be dismantled. Some development workers also left to obtain positions carrying higher rates of pay.