IMPROVED FARM SETTLERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 499, 11 September 1912, Page 5

IMPROVED FARM SETTLERS.

NECESSITY FOR STOCK. A SERIOUS POSITION. The responsibilities of the Government in connection with Improved Farm settlements are just beginning to be fully recognised. Apart, from the fact that the provision made for roading is in most cases totally inadequate to give proper opportunity for getting the produce of the sections to market it is now realised that settlers cannot provide the stock necessary to make a return from the land. This phase of the question is likely to have serious results, from a financial point of view, in cases where the settlements consist of open fern country. The Government assists the settler to effect improvements in the way of ploughing, manuring and grassing the fern country and such improvements constitute the security for the money expended. It is widely known that in order to keep the second growth of fern in check judicious and careful stocking has to be undertaken, during the soring and summer months. If this is not done fern over runs the grass and the value of the improvements is seriously affected. It is obviously impossible for the settler, who is placed on the land without capital, to find money for stock, and unless the Government provides the stock the security for the money in vested will vanish. Representations are now being made to the Government with a view to meeting the position. In order to be effective the stock will require to be provided durnig the next few weeks. It is to bo hoped, therefore, that prompt action will be taken, otherwise both Government and settlers will stand to loss heavily.