FARM FOR CONVALESCENT SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3096, 29 May 1917, Page 5

FARM FOR CONVALESCENT SOLDIERS

■NEW COMMONWEALTH UNDEETAKING. With a view to expediting the esence of wounded Australian soi&iers in England who have been allotted light duty work for periods ranging from three to six months, tho Australian military authorities have decided to place the men on a special farm of 1300 acres at Hollesby Bay, near tho east coast of Suffolk. The Federal Sinister of Defence stated last week that he had given his approval to a proposal to obtain authority from the agricultural committee for Suffolk, under tho defence of the Realm Act, to take over a farm- at Hollesby Bay. It included a barracks with a billeting capacity for COO men, while additional accommodation was available , in adjacent villages. Tho Minister, quoting 'horn a report on the property, said: "A portion of illo farm is planted with fruit trees, and sheep and poultry are run. The soil, while not rich, is of medium rjuality, and trio use of ■ artificial fertilisers should produce satisfactory results. The barracks are at present occupied by British troops charged.with-home service—a duty which tho Australian tenants could lako over when they, occupy the premises. Tho salient advantages of the scheme are represented to be that the climato is bracing and heajthy; that it will assist to harden the men for work at the front; that it will give them a liking for tho soil and mako them anxious to settle on the land, and thus assist in what Australia specially desires to stimulate— primary production—when they return to Australia. Further, it will bq a distinctive Australian contribution to the increase of food production in England, and should help tho vegetable supplv in Australian hospitals and camps in lingland, and it will give tho men congenial and suitable duties, and so improve their health aud infuse a spirit of contentment."

It is estimated by the authorities that there will always be about 2000 men from whom the necessary forces can ba drawn for work on the farm. Tho service, Senator Pearce pointed nut, would, of course, be voluntary. Hβ added that preliminary arrangements for accommodation were well in hand at the time the dispatch dealing with the matter was written, and it Was hoped that the scheme would be in running order very shortly.