The State Farm.

Manawatu Herald, 6 April 1895, Page 2

The State Farm.

The Minister of Labour paid a visit of inspection to the State Farm at Levin last Monday. In the evening he ex plained to the labourers that matters could not go on any longer a* they had bnen. In this we hold the Minister is right, as the want of system and object was apparent to all who had paid the Farm a visit. The Minister expected the people to have some interest in the place, and announced his intention to divide the workers into two classes, the present settlers, and the casuals. The present settlers are to try a system he observed in force in South Australia, and three hundred acres are to be worked cooperatively by twenty families.

The Liberal Government never forces anything upon the people, and Mr Reeves clearly pointed out that no family now on the farm would be forced into this scheme, only, if they do not fall into line, why, of course, others would be introduced, and the objectors would have to take their choice with the casuals. Persuasion is better than force any day, so we may look forward to this peculiar farm being given a trial under every disadvantage and foredoomed to failure. The Government appears to have behaved most unfeelingly in this matter, as now that hitherto haven of rest at Levin will become the centre of much turmoil if not bustle. The absurdity of expecting " failures " as we believe is the term we may fairly use in rbferring to the labourers upon this State Farm, to be able to manage 800 acres of land advantageously is magnificent, when wo have only to notice how much difficulty even experts find in making farming pay at presont. Never mind, it is only another •• fad."