LAND SETTLEMENT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5478, 23 September 1929, Page 2

LAND SETTLEMENT.

MR SCHMITT’S SCHEME. Interviewed on the subject of his letter on land settlement, which appeared in Friday’s issue, Mr Schmitt gave some further parti mlars. Briefly, stated Mr Schmitt, his scheme is :— That fifty reliable and experienced settlers be found, who would themselves form a company to the total value of the land to be selected, the applicants to find a small deposit towards a debenture, to the value of each section, which would be even. They then have an undertaking from the finance company under mortgage to supply the, necessary capital, as suggested in Friday’s letter on the scheme. At the end of the period, say three to three and a half years, if necessary, the State Advances give their valuation, relieving the finance company of some of the burden. If there should be, which is quite possible, a difference in the expended amount and the State Advances allocation, then the finance company would carry a second mortgage. The reason that success must attend the scheme of community settlement of this kind is, firstly, that the applicants start on the ground floor, and, secondly, that by their very numbers, and being a settlement established from the start, they create a genuine community and enhanced value, inasmuch as their numbers are large enough to attract the conveniences and advantages which would be failing where the hardships had to be borne by isolated settlement. For instance, after the second year, or even at the end of the first, allowing that 20 to 30 acres could be got in, there is an immediate necessity for a dairy company. There are sufficient number of children to justify a school, and a post office. There are sufficient to partially support a doctor, and a certain deduction from their weekly wage could be applied to the maintaining of a co-operative store, if they so wished. Unlike a . ballot, where people of more or less experience are allowed to take up land, the people entering into this movement would bo selected on account of their* knowledge of farming, and thoir integrity and ability to stand up to the work as pioneers, and, in addition, there are allowances made for the appointment of a qualified supervisor. “After all, said Mr Schmitt, “the main point is the land, and at present, from information from those who know the locality well, Whangamata offers advantages, and it is thought that the area required could be obtained in that district, not so much on the bush country, but on the fern land, which could so easily be got under with the plough, and which Is not too broken. There is also the advantage of the harbour. There need be no delay, should the Government’s assistance where it can assist, without prejudice, be forthcoming.” Continuing, Mr Schmitt said he had forwarded particulars of his scheme to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Lands, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, and Mr H. Holland, M.P., all of whom had written in reply stating their appreciation of the scheme. At the same time, while the Minister of Lands had commented most favourably on it, he had indicated that no legislation would be brought down this year to deal with the matter. On receipt of this information a large financial corporation, which had previously been approached on the subject, and which had enthusiastically received it at a meeting, was again communicated with, and was now awaiting a further letter* from Sir Joseph Ward before going into the matter more fully and probably deciding to launch the scheme.