LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 124, 7 March 1941, Page 8

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

ABOUT 29,000 ACRES ACQUIRED. MINISTER OUTLINES POLICY. (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Mar. 6. An announcement that 20 properties, comprising about 29,000 acres, have been acquired for the settlement nf discharged soldiers, was made by the Minister for (the Hon. F, Langstone) to-day. All these properties have been offered to *fhc Government, and there arc some in both islands. The Minister outlined the policy to be followed in the settlement- of men, and said that besides the land which had already been acquired, other properties had been offered for consideration. The Lands Department had been on the job ever since the outbreak of war, Acquiring properties where tho situation and price were right. The 20 properties referred to had cost for land alone . about £155,000. A lot- of extra money was required for development. stocking, buildings, water supply, etc. Mr Langstone said that numerous offers had been received of properties, and these were being considered by the Lands Purchase Board. Of course many were unsuitable, and in no circumstances would the Department buy land unless it stood up to the closest and most searching scrutiny as regards productivity, general suitability, and location. In selection and settlement the Lands Department was working in closo collaboration with the Returned Soldiers’ Association, which was very interested in tho settlement of men who would return from this war, and shortly there would be a meeting, and each and every property would be considered jointly by Lands Department officers and Returned Soldiers’ Association representatives, and settlement would take place on approved lines. Qualifications for Farming. The Minister said it was not proposed to settle any ono property completely at one time. ‘Men would return in groups, and on an area that might settle 10 or 12 soldiers, possibly only three or four might be settled at the beginning, and the rest settled later ns circumstances warranted. This was desirable so that as groups returned they would be Hell spread out, and the land meted out as fairly as possible. Due consideration would also be given to the qualifications men who went on the land. Some might be able to go farming straight away, while others might need help and training,’ and none would be finally selected for a farm unless he had ability, and a bent for farming. That was where the assistance of the Returned Soldiers’ Association would come in. Tho whole scheme would he dealt with to obtain the best possible results, and to avoid mistakes, Mr Langstone added. The idea was to have the location of the properties as well spread out through the Dominion as possible, with tho proviso that the land was suitable, and other facilities such as markets, schools, roads, and other amenities, available. They must avoid going away hack into the highlands on poor land.