In a report of parliament published yesterday I am quoted as having stated that the land settlement scheme should be a Federal matter. My actual words were "that although I am aware that the scheme is essentially a Commonwealth one, it is one under which the States have wide powers and therefore grave responsibilities." It must be realized that the success of this portion of the rehabilitation programme depends on the competence of the State administration. If it were subjected to control from Canberra failure would be inevitable. My objects in discussing the scheme were first to urge that the work of subdivision and home building be expedited, and second to request that information of the following points be made public:

• What income is represented by the elastic term "sum sufficient to provide a reasonable standard of living"
• The approximate date and manner of allotment of farms.
• The number of approved trainee applicants.
• The estimated number of farms which will be available.

This information would be of great interest to both trainees and public, and there seems no valid reason for secrecy on any aspect of this scheme.

Hon. W. A. Bethune.

In a review of war service land settlement, the Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Madden) disclosed to the House of assembly last night that farms for 320 ex-servicemen already were in sight in Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands.

The Minister said that since his previous review, which indicated that 155,315 acres of land had been recommended as suitable for the settlement of 310 servicemen, an additional 8,358 acres had been recommended for development into 10 farms. Apart from the investigation of new areas, good progress had been made in surveys of swamp on the North West Coast. Properties acquired or under consideration were:Pegarah, King Island: - 33,904 acres acquired. It was estimated that 160 dairy farmers would be accommodated.

Bootjack, Flinders Island: - 1,736 acres, this area it was hoped would provide for 8 dairy farms. Lawrenny estate, Hamilton: - 82,290 acres, was offered voluntarily to the board, but another property, Rotherwood, of 1,980 acres, was compulsorily acquired on April 1. On the whole area it was estimated that it would be possible to settle 18 wool farmers, 6 beef raisers, 14 prime lamb producers, and 25 dairy farmers - 63 settlers in all.

Macquarie estate, near Cressy:- 10,702 acres, comprising Lake House 2,280 acres, Delmont 1,740 acres, Coburg 1,839 acres, and Newham Park 4,843 acres. On this area it was hoped to settle 17 ex-servicemen for wool, prime lamb and cropping. Longford estate: - This comprised two properties- Woolmers No. 1 of 2,015 acres and Woolmers No. 2 of 3,831 acres. On this area it was hoped to settle 9 or 10 servicemen.

Central Midlands: - The property York House of 2,015 acres was acquired on April 1 at an agreed price. It was hoped to settle 4 ex-servicemen for the production of prime lambs and cropping.

The following areas, the Minister said, had been approved for settlement by the Commonwealth, and negotiations were still in progress:

Reekara, King Island, 6,162 acres for dairying.

Arthur Estuary, Flinders island, 1,972 acres for prime lambs etc.

Nunamara, St. Patrick's River, 1,141 acres for prime lambs etc.

The Minister said the basic size of farms, in whatever form of rural production the settler engaged, must be sufficient at the outset to provide for:

1. Overhead and operating costs;
2. rent, interest charges and depreciation; and
3. a reasonable net income for the settler.

In addition to this basic size, a margin or additional area was provided, by the development of which the settler might increase his income.

The initial basic income was £ 260 a year after all outgoing's had been met, but the settler by his own initiative and efficiency could increase his income considerably without incurring any increase in rent.

At Lawrenny soil typing, aerial and contour surveys and a boundary survey of 20,000 acres had been completed, so that sub divisional design and roading could be put in hand immediately. Assembling of the first group of houses was also under way.

Subject to the building materials being available, many ex-servicemen, would be in occupation of their farms before the end of the year, the Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Madden) said yesterday.

It was not possible to state accurately the exact date when allotments of farms would be made, but the Closer Settlement Board recently had advised eligible applicants that selection and allotment would take place shortly, and has asked interested settlers to indicate their preference in regard to areas and type of farm desired.

The Minister said that from the replies to a questionnaire sent out by the Board it was evident a considerable number of applicants, particularly those receiving practical farm training, had changed their minds in regard to the type of farming they desired to pursue and the district in which they wished to settle.

As soon as all replies had been received the Board would go into the question of selecting settlers for the available areas and allotting farms in accordance with settlers' desires, their degree of experience, and the progress they had made during training.

Lack of fertilizers, depletion of soil fertility, inadequacy of labour, and high prices for stock have made the implementation of the soldier settlement scheme difficult in Tasmania.

The R.S.L. representative on the closer Settlement board (Mr. G.C. Frankcomb) states in the report which he will present to State congress of the R.S.L. at Ulverstone next month that the most optimistic land owner realizes there are still many difficulties to be overcome.

The classification committee dealing with applications for war service land settlement and re-establishment loans have classified about 1,000 application of which 599 are for land settlement and 423 for loans.

There are 128 ex-servicemen undergoing training of up to two years with approved farmers in Tasmania, and 40 have completed an 8 week refresher course at the government farm at Cressy.

The 162 who have already applied for loans have been lent £ 101,274. Of the 23,000 acres being cleared for the setting up of about 140 dairy farms on King island, a contractor had cleared about 2,500 acres. Clearing had been retarded by excessive rains.

Suitable Areas

Lack of essentials for houses and wire for subdivision are the greatest handicaps for the soldier settlement estates in the Cressy - Macquarie River area which promises to be suitable for prime lamb and wool production. The area was taken over on 1 April this year.

The report states that the Bootjack project on Flinders Island of 1,706 acres should develop into dairy farms.

The Lawrenny estate of about 82,000 acres is being carried on by the Closer Settlement Board, under the management of Mr. B. Brain, until settlers are placed on their holdings.

Tenders will be called by the Closer Settlement Board within the next few days for the clearing and initial cultivation of three estates in the Midlands.

The Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Madden) said this yesterday in a statement on progress being made by the Closer Settlement Board in relation to land settlement. Sub divisional design of an estate in the central Midlands would be decided by the board next week, and sub-divisional surveys, fencing and cultivation would be proceeded with immediately, he added.

The board would also inspect and decide and decide on final sub-division of two estates in the North Midlands. Tenders would be called for fencing, and wire had been accumulated. Arrangements were being made with the Public Works Department for the construction of roads and attention to drainage. The Mines Department had been requested to investigate the supply of bore water to stock.

As soon as these plans were approved, similar plans in regards to parts of another estate in the Hamilton district would be prepared, and developmental work such as surveys, fencing, drainage, and clearing undertaken within a few weeks, Mr. Madden said.

Sub-divisional plans would be prepared by the board's staff on properties in the Cressy district and other estates purchased in the Southern Midlands. Developmental teams were being organized to utilize labour to the best possible advantage, Mr. Madden said.

It was hoped, within a very short period, to engage selected settlers on developmental work on holdings to become their own farms. The board was confronted with the same problems of supply and scarcity of materials, he added. It was thought likely that a dearth of materials would retard erection of buildings more than had been expected.

First sub divisional plans of estates acquired for soldier settlement in Tasmania have been approved by the Closer Settlement Board. The plans apply to York House in the Midlands.

With these subdivision plans the first step has been taken in soldier settlement in Tasmania, and work in connection with the subdivision of several other estates acquired for soldier settlement is also well in hand.

The York House property comprises approximately 5,000 acres,

and it is believed the plans approved provide for the settlement of four families.

Surveys will now be undertaken, and it is expected that everything will be in readiness for occupation by the settlers at an early date.

It is believed the board has been devoting considerable time in preparing for the settlement of ex servicemen on the different estates acquired. Much preliminary work was necessary, but from now on it is expected steady progress will be made.

Cabinet decided yesterday to approve the recommendation that soldier settlers be allocated properties on a priority basis according to their ability, and not by ballot.

The Premier (Mr. Cosgrove)said yesterday the Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Madden) had reported to Cabinet that the Lawrenny estate had been brought to a stage where those who would be settled on holdings there could be trained and employed on improvements. They would go to the estate at the beginning of next month.

Cabinet had considered the recommendation of the Closer Settlement Board that prospective settlers be chosen in accordance with their ability, rather than the balloting system, in operation in other States.

Cabinet favoured the selection principle, because it considered men chosen under such a system would have a better chance of making a success of their holdings.

Mr. Cosgrove said other estates acquired for soldier settlement had reached a stage when it would be possible for prospective settlers to be employed on improvements such as housing, fencing, etc.

Every topographical detail at Ouse, in the Lawrenny estate and adjoining areas, is revealed in a map just completed by the mapping branch of the Lands and Survey Department.

It is the first accurate survey map to be made in Tasmania. To ensure that all details were correct, technicians had to co-ordinate complex ground instruments with cameras operated from an aircraft which for some weeks photographed the area.

The Minister for Lands (Mr. Brooker) said yesterday the map was the first of a series designed to cover the whole State.

It was drawn to a scale of half a mile to the inch, and covered the area of 70 square miles.

All natural features were shown, as well as buildings, hydro electric lines and towers, roads, fences, timber and scrub.

The contours showed accurately the level of the terrain, and provided information for planning the development of Lawrenny estate, which the Government had acquired for soldier settlement.

The map was printed in four colours and compared favourably with maps produced in other States.

Up to October 31, 1947 1,255 ex-servicemen in Tasmania had applied for rehabilitation upon the land, the Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Madden) stated in a report on war service land settlement, presented to the House of Assembly.

Of these 698 were registered for land settlement and 557 for re-establishment loans, and with the exception of 68, all had been classified into these two sections. The Minister said that of the 698 registered for land settlement, 191 were very suitable for settlement without further training, and 291 required training for periods up to two years, plus an intensive course at Cressy Research Farm. Another 25 had been classed as unsuitable and ineligible, and 123 had withdrawn their applications or asked that they be deferred.

The Post-War Land Development Committee had continued with investigations into areas of land which

might prove suitable for settlement, Mr. Madden said. The committee had considered areas aggregating 845,603 acres, of which 485,172 had been rejected as unsuitable, and 158,512 acres recommended as likely to provide suitable farms for approximately 318 settlers.

Since April of 1947, further investigations established that 13,279 acres were unsuitable, and 3,197 acres in eight farms were recommended for development. Investigations into 140,656 acres had not reached a stage where definite recommendations could be made.

The Minister said that at Pegarah (King Is.), 4,471 acres had been cleared, of which 675 acres were sown last March, 824 were broken for cultivation, 1,047 acres had been rolled, logged and leveled, and it was proposed to sow over 3,000 acres in the autumn.

Sub-division of Rotherwood and Shawfield had been planned and the areas now were being surveyed. The erection of permanent housing had begun at Lawrenny. A contract for clearing and gorse eradication at

Woolmer's estate, Longford, had been completed, and houses for each settler and farm buildings had been planned and the erection would proceed at an early date.

Subdivision of Macquarie estate had been planned. It would be surveyed and boundary fences erected when clearing and gorse eradication had been completed. Acquisition of Reekara estate, King Island, was proceeding and tenders had been called for the clearing and cultivation of Bootjack, Flinders Island, but were held up pending more information from the engineers about drainage aspects.

The report stated that it was proposed to settle four settlers on Arthur River Estuary, Flinders Island for prime lambs and four new projects, one of which was at Epping, 25 miles from Launceston on the Midlands Highway, had been approved by Cabinet.

Although no land settlement holdings had been allotted in Tasmania, the stage reached was considerably in advance of that in some of the other States.

Re-establishment loan applications had totaled 657, of which 248 had been approved, 153 refused or withdrawn, and finality had not been reached yet on the remaining 156 applications. In this connection, 130 applications had been approved to assist ex-servicemen to purchase their own properties, and 118 who owned or leased properties received assistance for the purchase of stock, equipment, plant, seed, manure, and in other operating costs. The total amount of loans was £ 163,450. To assist those purchasing properties, £ 52,401 also was advanced under State Advances legislation. Assistance was granted as follows:

• Dairying, 61
• prime lambs and cropping, 19
• wool growing, 12
• orcharding, 48
• small fruits, 22
• mixed farming, 81
• poultry and miscellaneous, 5

                                total 248.