The Empty Land 



covers practically the whole field of rural 

 activity. The success of the Department is 

 mainly due to the organising power, and patient, 

 unwearied effort of Mr F. B. Smith, the Secretary 

 for Agriculture. The Union Land Bank has 

 been established for the purpose of aiding 

 deserving farmers in the development of their 

 farms. Its present capital is 6,000,000 and 

 the loans vary from 50 to 2000. Advances 

 are made on improvements, on the purchase of 

 live stock, on promotion of rural industries, 

 and on the purchase of land. Special provision 

 besides is made for advances to settlers up to 

 the sum of 500 in order to supply them with 

 stock, implements, and seed necessary to de- 

 velop their holdings. During the last session of 

 Parliament a Land Settlement Act was passed 

 which is destined to have a profound influence 

 on the future of the country. By this Act the 

 Minister of Lands is given large powers over any 

 money voted by Parliament for closer settle- 

 ment. He may purchase land by auction, or by 

 private treaty, or he may exchange existing 

 Crown land for private land; the conditions 

 required for a Government holding are not 

 onerous, but they assume a certain amount of 

 capital on the part of the colonist. Lastly, 

 N2 195 



