SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17221, 11 August 1921, Page 6

SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

FURTHER STATE ASSISTANCE.

(FEES* ASSOCIATION TBLEGBAM.') WELLINGTON, August 10. The difficulty under which many returned soldier settlers are labouring, owing to the financial stringency, was recently the subject of representations to the Minister of Lands by the Executive Council of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association. The\!eputation pointed out that many ex-soldier farmers were left in the position of not being able to discharge their debts to the storekeepers who had supplied them hitherto with the necessaries of life on credit, and that they now found it impcssib.'e to continue on those lines. The deputation placed before the Minister several suggestions, which it was contended might assist him in alleviating some of the hardships being experienced, especially by those engaged in sheepfarming. The Minister received the suggestions favourably, and has now written to the secretary of the Association as follows:

_ The trouble appears to concern principally soldier settlers who are sheepfarmers and graaiers of stock. The difficulties under which they labour are due primarily to the poor pr'i-es now obtainable for their wool and fflt stock. I have much pleasure in informing you that this matter has received the serious consideration of the Government. It has been decided that the only solution of the difficulty is in the direction of providing further financial assistance by an adjustment of mortgages, with a_ consequent increase in accommodation, such adjustment to relate only to those soldier-settlers who are hard workers, who have done sterling work in the development of their properties, and whom I consider should be offered every inducement to remain on' the land.