HEI HEI SETTLERS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18096, 11 June 1924, Page 7

HEI HEI SETTLERS.

.4 *_ DEPUTATION TO N.Z.R.S.A.

The hardships suffered by the returned soldier poultry farmers of the Hei Hei settlement were the subject of a deputation from - the settlers which waited on the Dominion conference of the N Z.E.S.A. yesterday. Mr C. Hart said that the men were unable to make a success of their business and yet were unable to get an economic pension. The speaker .hart spent £BOO to produce £6OO worth ot "The chairman (Mr D. S. Smith) suggested that the. best thing for the men to do was to sell their stock and appiy again for the economio pension. After further discussion, the deputation withdrew. Mr M. A. Aldred (Auckland) said that from what he could gather the poultry industry could not be made to pay unless the farmer was able to grow some of the necessary feed himself. Mr E. Orchard (Canterbury) said that tlie poultry business in the Dominion was mostly camouflage. About 10 j>er cent, of the poultrymen in .business were in some other business, or occupied some other position, and only carried on the poultry business as a side line. Only about 10 per cent, of the poultry farmers were wholly m the business, and the public were thus given a wrong impression of the industry. Mr W. E. Leadloy (Canterbury) contended that the Hei Hei settlers were not receiving a fair deal from the Government in the matter of pensions. Professor H. Stewart (Canterbury) said it in the interests of the men themselves and the country that the poultry farmers should be kept at their present employment. At the same time he did not" believe in men being kept at an industry which they could nevor' make pay. That would only be sending good money after bad. He thonght that the utmost that could be expected waa the maximum economic pension. Mr B. J. Jacobs (Wellington) said that it would, in his opinion, be a great mistake for the Government to take over the administration of the farms. It would be much better to allow the men to maintain their present interest in the industry. On the motion of the chairman, which was seconded by Mr Jacobs, it was decided: That the question of the Hei Hei settlers be referred to standing committee for immediate action with a view to closing their accounts with the Repatriation Department without loss to the men ; that steps be taken to secure for them an adequate economic pension, and that the men be instructed that for the future they are not to engage in poultry farming, on a non-paying basis, and that this course of action be adopted -with reference to all T.B. settlers in similar circumstances.