SOLDIERS AND FARMERS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 222, 18 September 1919, Page 7

SOLDIERS AND FARMERS.

GETTING ON THE LAND. ASSOCIATION SCHEME APPROVED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this- day. A deputation, from the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association waited on tbe New Zealand Farmers' Union Conference to-day, for the purpose of discussing the question of settling soldiers on the land. Mr. Seymour (general secretary oi the Association) said the present machinery was too slow, was not 'working well, and iwas quite inadequate. Now that so many men -were returning, soldiers could not be provided with land. The Government's reply that it had plenty of land was not true. There was suspicion that tbe Government wanted to unload some unsuitable land upon soldiers before it acquired any more. The Association was gratified to see that the Farmers' Union favoured the appointment of committees of advice, and that a committee of farmers -was prepared to render all the assistance (possible to returned men.

Colonel G. S. Mitchell (organiser of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association) said the Association felt that there was some danger of placing soldiers on high-priced, fully-developed land. He outlined the Association's scheme for settling soldiers on large blocks of -undeveloped land, and asserted, that increased production was the key of the situation so far as New Zealand was concerned.

Mr. W. B. Mathieson, of Wellington (a member of the Union), congratulated the Association on its practical eoheme, and other speakers expressed themselves to the same effect.

Mr. D. -James (North Canterbury) moved: "That this Conference is in full sympathy with returned soldiers in their desire to get upon the land, and is prepared to actively assist their Association in its efforts to secure undeveloped land."

Mr. J. H. .Toll (Hawke's Bay) seconded tbe motion, which was carried unanimously.

Three cheers were given for the returned soldiers.