SMALL FARMS SCHEME

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20047, 20 September 1939, Page 11

SMALL FARMS SCHEME

EXTENSION OF LEASES FREEHOLD REMOVED OPPOSITION CRITICISM (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. In moving the second reading of the Small Farms Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday, the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, traced the history of the small farms scheme from its inception and quoted figures showing the remarkable .development of the scheme under the present administration. The scheme comprised 128,076 acres, which to-day were carrying 'BI,B-18 sheep, 7227 dairy cows, 10,142 run cattle and 2408 pigs. The Minister added that he hoped that the farms would become show farms of New Zealand. The administration had proved a great success and even better results were expected in years to come. The original purchase clause was being removed. In place of a 10-year lease, there would be a 33year lease, to which the holder would have a perpetual right of renewal. The freehold provisions would disappear from the new leases and it was possible the Opposition would have some criticism to offer on that score, but the Government felt it had good reasons for eliminating the right to freehold. Once the freehold was given, said the Minister, the Lands Department had no further control, and he did not want to see repeated what had happened previously in New Zealand. Plea for Freehold The debale on the second reading vas continued until the tea adjournment, the Opposition speakers urging .hat the freehold should be granted to settlers on holdings.

Discussion on the second reading of the bill was continued when the House resumed after the tea adjournment at 7.30 p.m. Mr. W. J. Poison (Nat., Stratford) stated that the bill took the country a further step along the road to State farming and the socialisation of land. The present was the time when controversial legislation should be dropped, and something should be done for backblock formers.

The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Nat., Kaipara) claimed that the Minister could have given the settlers the freehold of their sections while not giving them tile right to sell without the Minister's permission.

Mr. Langstone interjected that that was not possible under the present law.

At 10.20 p.m. the debate was adjourned and the following bills were introduced by Governor-General’s message and read the first time: Lower Clutha River Amendment Bill; Native Purposes Bill and Local Legislation Bill, the last named being the usual washing-up bill which was referred to the Local Bills Committee. The Native Purposes Bill contains a number of miscellaneous clauses •elating to native affairs and includes provision for the Governor-General :o make regulations providing for the issue of marriage certificates in case of marriages between natives performed by the officiating Minister under the Marriage Act. The bill was referred to the Native Affairs Committee. On the motion for the adjournment the acting Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, intimated that he doubted if the taxing bill would be ready lor introduction to-day.

Mr. Poison: When will you let us go home?

Mr. Fraser: On Friday. The House rose at 10.23 p.m