FARMERS' CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 221, 17 September 1919, Page 15

FARMERS' CONFERENCE.

SETTLIXG THE SOLDIERS. (By Tele-graph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. At the meeting of the Farmers' Conference the settlement of eoldiere on the land was discussed at some length on a motion expressing- the opinion that the methods of the Land Purchase Boards were too -slow, and suggesting the appointment of local inspection committees. Eventually the following amendment was carried:—'"That the Government be asked to appoint local advisory boards to assist in conjunction ■with the Government officers in the settlement oi soldiers on the ]and." The following remit was also carried: '"That this union Is of opinion -feat it would be to the interest of the Government and more advantageous to returned soldiers if they were granted Crown land free, instead of placing them on high-priced land, where it is practically impossible for them to make a living." Muc-h debate ivas caused by a motion: "Tihat in view of the serious menace the aggregation of land is becoming to the welfare of the community, the Government be urged to take more effective measures to prevent the same." There was a considerable difference of opinion as to whether aggregation was really } talcing place. Finally. t?ie following amendment was carried: —"This conference is satisfied that close settlement is for the true welfare -of the country, and, therefore, is against undue aggregation." The following remits were carried: — ""That occupiers of national endowment land be granted the option of purchasing the freehold, and all such land to he thrown open as required, and the proceeds io bo invested for tlie benefit of the endowments for -which they were intended/ "Thai the Aliens' Tmmigra.tion Restriction Act be amended go that aliens for doine=tic eerviee may be allowed access to the Dominion.' , ""That in any hydro-electric scheme the largest proportion of curren-t be allocated to country districts to encourage further production." ""That the Government be requested to amend the Immigration Restriction Act in the direction of requiring all immigrants to prove their loyalty to the laws of the land and the British Constitution before they shall be permitted to settle."