SMALL FARM PLAN

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1932, Page 5

SMALL FARM PLAN

PROGRESS MADE MR COATES OUTLINES SCHEME. ( By Telegraph—Per Press A ssoeiation > WELLINGTON, June 15. In a statement to-day, Mr Coates said that steady progress was being made on the small farm plan for placing unemployed on the land. “We are not purchasing land,” he said, “nqr taking leases of entire farm properties. What we are doing is distinct from ordinary land settlement. ; V

He said they were placing men on small, well-selected areas, usually about ten acres, with the intention that those who made good would later become permanent, independent, settlers. . Adequate steps would be taken to ensure security of title. He continued: “AH that is being asked from the land owner is a simple agreement allowing the Government the use of a section o'" land, this typically taking the forin of a lease for, say, live years, with the right to purchase or renew. The buildings.or improvements will remain the property,of the Crownuhless other--;arrahgement s are made Already definite arrangements have been ma de for Soliie three hundred-.cot-tages for sections which have been approved, and these are being turned out and erected with all speed. Further orders are being placed as district officers and local committees make known their requirements.- From three to four hundred offers .of sectionsyyjtij addition to those already accepted are under examination.” He mentioned that a certain amount of delay is being caused by mortgagees, and lie pointed out that one effect of bringing competent and well-selected men into a district?aMjpppning the way to land development and improvement must be to strengthen thesecurity for®, the existing mortgages, i Mr Coates mentioned there was an; offshoot of the scheme which relates to dairy farms. The .Government would he supplying a cottage, under suitable, terms, to the house sharemilker.i He said that the' history of the dairy inf dusfry showed that the sharemilker of to-day was the farmer of to-morrowy and opportunities offered in this direction would open the way for sound development.