NEW SETTLEMENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1932, Page 5

NEW SETTLEMENTS

ON WEST COAST

POSSIBILITIES ARE FAVOURED

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

CHIU ST CHURCH, May 31. In connection with the scheme of Major R. A. Wilson to settle 10,000 families on the land, so as to .relievo unemployment, the plan is supported strongly by Mr -11. McGillivray, Super-mteiuie.-t of the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture, at Christchurcu, who draws attention "to the vast dairying possibilities of the West Coast. Ji, commending the scheme, Mr MoGilljvray stated that there was only n. limited amount of dairying land in Canterbury, but on th e West Coast there were vast areas on which dairy tamers cou.d be settled, ao present it was held in big blocks, the average holding on the whole of the West Coast being nearly 1350 acres.

“There are great possibilities for settling farmers on 50 acres of good land,” he said. “At the present time many settlors are dairying on .small blocks and making quite a comfortable living. 'At Harihnri and Wctaroa there are large areas which are sparsely settled now; they could be quite easily converted into small dairy farms. In the Koiternngi and Kokatahi districts there ar e substantial possibilities of subdivision ; in the latter district one tract of swamp land would be capable of settling from 30 to 40 dairy farmers. It could be brought into use by relief labour, and, with proper treatment, would make excellent dairying land. In another district there are some, 3000 acres held by four or fiveaowners, who do not do anything with much of it. “Personally,” he added, “I think this scheme is a splendid one.” Another authority .stated that the scheme was entitled to respect and close examination. There were many parts of the Dominion, where dairying could he intensified. Scope for the .scheme was limited in Canterbury, with its light and. at times erratic rainfall, but there were immen.se possibilities on the West Coast. He was not prepared to say much about tlie financial aspect of the scheme, but at first glance it would appear necessary to have a bigger herd than one of 25 cows, with butterfat even at Is a lb., as there would not be much left for the owner after paying all expenses. It was imperative, too, that a- scheme of this kind should be very carefully administered.

Major Wilson says: “If we oould settle 10,000 families, witli a capital expenditure of £5,000,000, it would, with the Increased work in.-the towns provided by the extra production go a long way towards -alleviating our unemployment problem. The last .statistics showed that about 40,000 holdings were used for dairying, so that this would mean un increase of 25 per cent, in that number—a difficult, but not impossible task,”