SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 159, 5 July 1917, Page 2

SOLDIER SETTLERS.

DIFFICULTIES ON TUB LAND,

A committee representing returned soldiers who have settled on the land waited upon the executive committee of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association at a meeting last night. The delegates were Messrs. M. _". Boyle (Awakino, North Auckland). YV. J. Sanby (Reynolds Settlement, Cambridge), (.'. .1. C'outts (Uoldfields Districts). VV. P. Trcnberth (Kercone), M. Fletcher (Streamlands). and J. A. De Silva (Waikato Returned Soldiers' Association). In addition, the Waerenga men asked Mr. E. F. Andrews, secretary of the association, to voice their proposals. The opinion was expressed that the present maximum amount of £500 advanced by the Government to soldiers on the land is totally inadequate in the case of unimproved land, and barely enough in cases for improved holdings. Eventually the following resolution was passed: "That, owing to the present high prices ruling for all commodities, live stock, etc.. required by the soldier settlers taking up land, this conference is of opinion that the advance of CSOO is insufficient, and that the Minister for Finance be requested to use his influence to have the maximum amount of the loan increased to .€l.ooo.''

Tlie following resolution was passed in regard to the question of improved fruit farms:—'"That the Government be asked to take over, under the Lands for Settlement Act. the Oolenso Estate at I'nkuranga, with a view to its conversion into improved fruit farms for disabled soldiers; that the Government bo asked further to investigate the communal system of settling soldiers upon the land, as practised by some of the Australian States, in order that it may be adopted, if possible, in this estate: further, that it be pointed out that the Prime Minister has already promised that the Land Board should view the Colenso Estate with a view to its conversion as above."'