THE SANDILANDS SETTLEMENT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21938, 12 November 1936, Page 12

THE SANDILANDS SETTLEMENT

INSPECTION BY HON. W. E.

PARRY

“THE CARE OF THE NATION”

“The returned soldiers are the care of the nation, and we can’t shirk the responsibility—as a matter of fact, it has been shirked too long. It is not sufficient to send our men away, then let them ,come back and let them ‘lick their wounds’ for the rest of their lives. That is strong language, but I mean it.” This statement was made by the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) during an inspection of the Sandilands settlement for returned soldiers yesterday afternoon. Others who made the inspection with Mr Parry included the Minister for Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. W. Beanland), the City Engineer (Mr A. R. Galbraith), the architect for the settlement (Mr W. Melville Lawry), the Superintendent of Parks and Reserves (Mr M. J. Barnett), Mr W. E. Leadley (vice-president) and members of the Christchurch executive of the Returned Soldiers’ Association.

In reply to a question by Mr Parry, Mr W. E. Leadley said that the men paid a minimum rent of 2s 6d and a maxirhum of ss. Under the scheme the men retained their liberty and were not subjected to the same restrictions as those in institutions. The Ministers were conducted over the settlement, and made an inspection of the interior of one single man’s home and also a married couple’s residence. “A National Responsibility” Mr Parry said that he was glad to have had the opportunity to see the settlement, as he had heard a great deal about it. He thought the situation an admirable one. The problem of providing for returned soldiers was a national responsibility, and the Government realised that to the full. The National War Funds Council, consisting of members of Parliament and members of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, was investigating a number of matters connected with the dis-

tribution pf the funds, _ sndSMIMH agreed to set up a committal and go into the matter and decide what couk| be was not prepared to say ilflH finding of the committee W<*4UHh but he felt that if homes weseMH| in the various centres it was doing something for RtunMdjHH The Government was provision for a £3,000,00 ft ,M|H scheme, and for local councflt'JMß borrow for this purpose qt ? JHH rate of interest, and it was M|Hi that with this and the supenMM| tion scheme something done for crippled and roainwiH|H| turned soldiers that would hHH put them on a decant standardLlMM| did not know the altitude councils with the loan mooej;in| he.thought that a great be done. Mr Parry he and his department all the assistance possible to HH conditions for returned Alter leaving the Ministers and their party inspection of the club-room* JS|Sn New Brighton sub-branch Returned Soldiers’ of the site chosen for the newjMHBI rooms. They afterwards aMH9H| tour of the borough.