SETTLERS’ LOT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 290, 28 February 1928, Page 9

SETTLERS’ LOT

FRUGALITY AND GMT NO DEMAND FOR LAND An uninspiring picture is drawn by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. O. J. Havvken, for those who are contemplating taking up lend for settlement in New Zealand. Hs sees nothing but very frugal living for many years, and estimates that only by grit and perseverance could keen and resolute settlers win through. Most of the unbroken land in this country, he says, would ccst as much to bring into production as it is worth. Speaking at Karaka yesterday, the Minister recalled the unpleasant fact that there was no demand for land at the present time, and even tl owe who had been offered holdings free, on the conditions that they effect easy improvements within 10 years, had not availed themselves of the settler’s life. Certainly conditions were different from those prevailing when money was procurable at 4i per cent., while values had risen out of all reason, and land that had been purchf sed from the Maoris for £3 an acre years ago, had recently been written down to 12s 6d an acre. WORTHY OF ASSISTANCE The Minister considers, however, that those farmers who have continued on £heir holdings are worthy of the asi sistance of the State, and when speaking at Papatoetoe last evening, ho endeavoured to justify the aid which the ; Government had given in the direcj tion of legislation and subsidy to the i different industries. Very little money had gone out of I the country last year to purchase 1 grain, which he attributed to the en--1 couragement given the wheat growers in Canterbury through the sliding scale ! of duties on foreign wheat, and gratij fying results were being obtained from j the subsidies expended on herd testing and fruit growing, and from the rei duction in the freight rates in ferti- { lisers. The Minister estimated that as a re - 1 suit of the increase in the standard of dairy produce, brought about by more efficient herds. New Zealand soon ' would equal Denmark in production i per cow