DISTINCT MOVEMENT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 303, 17 August 1932, Page 6

DISTINCT MOVEMENT

DEMAND FOR CROWN LANDS SHOWS STEADY INCREASE. ACCUMULATED RENT TJNPAID. A very distinct movement in the direction of increased settlement has j been noted by the Hon. E. A, Ran- ' som, Minist-er of Lands, who, when speaking at a farmers' rally in Dan- i nevirke said that 'there was a greater demand for land to-day than during any other time while he had been in ofnce as Minister. Mr. Ransom added 'that he was glad that financial instit- ' utions were backing up the attempts of those who were trying to put men on the land. He had found that many • men with limited capital were anxious to take up land and were doing so. ] In the past three years 2080 Crown , sections had been taken up, involving , an area of 738,000 acres. The policy of his department was to break in new Crown land rather than buy up partly developed land at a cheap price Holdings selected for the first time numbered 955 and involved 200,000 acres. During the last two years £194,000 had provided work for over 1000 men engaged in roading and developing the sections.

One of the most serious problems was not in the finding of sufficient land for settlement, but maintaining on the land those Crown tenants in occupation to-day. Most of the forfeituies during the past two years had been at the request of the holders, and many were in respect of town properties. No stone was left unturned to help present occupiers to remain in possession. There were over 50,000 tenants on land in which the Crown was interested, and the arnount of money involved was £47,000,000. "You will thus understand the responsibility resting on the Minister of Lands," said Mr. Ransom. In practically every case where the department found it necessary to deal with private mortgagees it had been found that the latter were ready and willing to assist farmers in their present difficulties, Forfeitures, notwithstanding the economic situation, were not so serious as one might think. In 1929 they numbered 520, in 1930 432, in 1931 404, and in 1932 275. It would thus be seen that the department was not unduly pressing its tenants. Accumulated arrears of rent amounted now to £1,580,000 — a very substantlal arnount t-o be overdue to the Government. No less than £175,000 in remissions had been granted by five Land Boards. He did not believe in accumulating arrears, but rather tnat faimeis shouid be encouraged.