LAND AGGREGATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1785, 5 February 1918, Page 3

LAND AGGREGATION.

ASHHURST CASE DISCUSSED. At a meeting of the Palmerston branch of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday, Mr J, Teale raised the question of land aggregation, which it^ r as reported was going on in the Ashhurst district to the detriment of one of the dairy factories. This, he said, was a matter that ought to receive some attention from the Union. Mr F, Maul said there were two sides to the question. He knew the particulars, which were that a farmer, Mr Buchanan, wanted to sell out. He cut his place into small sections, and eventually submitted them to public auction, but the prices offered not being satisfactory, he did not accept them. Then another man came along and bought up the lot at a price that was acceptable to the owner. That was all that there was in it.

Mr H. Vile: I was at the sale, and know there were plenty of small farmers bidding for the sections. Mr Maul: They did not come up to the price. If these men were not willing to give the price, what right have they got to cry out afterwards ?

Mr Pearce said some large landowners paid more in land tax than a dozen small men.

Mr Teale opposed aggregation in any form. He quoted instances where farms, occupied by large families, were bought up, and now these were run by two or three employees. This was not in the interests of the country. Mr Vile said if these men who were buying largely now wanted investment for their money, why not put it into the war funds? As regards the purchase in the vicinity of Ashhurst, he regretted that it would mean Ihe loss of many settlers in the district. He was strongly of opinion that the Government should maFe this sort of thing impossible.

Mr Maul said the area had been greatly exaggerated. It amounted to only 300 acres. Mr Teale said-every man had a perfect right to go on the land if lie wished to do so. Personally, he opposed aggregation, and the small man should he encouraged as much as possible. He instanced what had occurred in rural England,

The Chairman said he knew the properties referred to at Ashhurst. The man who had recently bought (he land was contemplating coming across the river, if allowed to acquire other farms. The property in the Whakaronga district would deteriorate by £2O per acre because the factory would have to close down. The discussion then closed. — Times.