SOLDIERS' FARMS

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 136, 8 June 1917, Page 7

SOLDIERS' FARMS

— — , » DISCUSSED BY BOARD (By Tple.ra ph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The question of settling soldiers on the land was discussed by the Advisory Board of thr Patriotic War Relief Societies to-day. Various suggestions were ma.dc. Hut no decision was arrived st. The Wairarapa Patriotic Association urged that the Government immediately provide improved land by compulsory purchase, if sufficient was not made available voluntarily. The Canterbury Society considered that the present scheme was unsatisfactory, and strongly urged that the r,overnTnent should initiate a comprehensive scheme tor their settlement, and make adequate provision for placing 6uch men on t.he land. The Timaru Society recommended that no more land for returned soldiers should be opened up until the necessity arose, as several Works on properties already opened have not been applied for. and were stil! available.

A sub-committee of the Advisory Boa-d reported that it had come to the conclusion that the problem could not be successfully handled by the Board or patriotic societies, and consequently it had resolved that the National Efficiency Board he asked to accept the duties of assisting soldiers on to the land and into business, and. in special cases of necessity, allow a more liberal scale of financial assistanceAfter considerable discussion the •whole matter was referred again to the Board's sub-committee.