LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3114, 19 June 1917, Page 9

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

VICTORIAN EXPERT'S SCHEME

BOARD OF PRACTICAL MEN

A Victorian agriculturist ami liusini'ss man who lias liad consUlorablo exporipnen iu the placing of .settlors upon the land contributes an interesting iiKicle on tho subject of tho settlement of soldiers, in the conrso of which ho KtU'S:— There is no question of greater moment than that of repatriation, and tho most; vital and difficult problem of tho ouestion is that <lealin- with tho scltlcmonl. of tho returned soldier on tho land. In till)' "Round table" ■Oγ .December, 1915, there is au articlo on land .sottlemi'nt. in Knsland alter the war, ami the following paragraphs seem to juo to form tho text of what is tho basis of this iiroblem:"It is no more practical lo dump largo masses of men on tho land at short liotu-o and expect them to bo farinors ur I arm labourers than it is to expect men lo loam any other trade by tho light nt jiahire. . . . "Agriciilliiro or pastoral JnrmniK m. * business which may not rwiuiro extensive book leiirnins, but it is one which lequires a groat deal of practical training > and oiperionco in local conditions beloit it can be made to yioid a modest ] IVIJ, S"lf men cannot be dumped on tho land direct, oxperienco shows that if they mo properly housed in cantonments on arrival'aid given rudimentary n.strudio f- m some systematic way, they can bo t. nwi into useful farm hands man ania/,iiir J short space of time, and that with > adeouate system of expert iulth-c .inn snpm-v-ieion. Imt half-trained men can farm on their own with fair success. "The business of rapid lajid is not easy. It rcguina thorough bludj of successful experiments and ot im.jU conditions. But in proper circiinislanccfl it can bo done." Essential Points. lii considering this question, therefore, one must bear in mind, tho mpo tance of setting suitable land, the _i mpo - ance of surrounding condit Qns the importance of supervision and Ho impo I anco of tactful personal assistance ,uul property-, «i£ ot T place Quito tho most importaat thiiiß howoTcr, is the situation of tho •nnekv Handy facilities arc essential, sue .s a rail a school, twator supply, be difficult to settle on laid, r' tto bKk blocks, and away from all the nnnifnrfs and conveniences ot lito Uiey should be a boards men, thoroughly, conversant ;nth land and tho subdivision of land.'Men wno haro been successful iu working .land, onev against land values, hucli a board y must, of course be by the Government, who lias to find the money, and should be responsible to tho Government, through tho Minister of to day. This board, however, should not bo .rAnPi-ted with any Government Depaitmtnt and absolutely oute.de any political influence or uiterferenco Beyond everything the members of tho bowd must not be highly-paid officials or Government officials There must bo patriotism and philanthropy about it, and direct responsibility to the Qovcinnieut and the public. This board .would then appoint its manager of the whole business, and through him tho stafl of valuers, engineers, sun-cyors, supervisors etc., would bo engaged. The cost ot subdivision, etc.. would bo added to the cost of each farm, and also a percentage charge added to pay for administration. This would, I feel sure, ensure tlio economic and effective administration. Quarterly reports could be sent to the Minister, with yearly or half-yearly audited statements attached, and these could bo published in tho Press, so that the public and Parliament would see for themselves how the scheme was working. Ono feels one is treading on thin ice, in advocating such views, but from experience of the Government Departments or hoard's results of closer settlement so far, one must hit straight out on this important phase of closer settlement, and say deliberately that under a Government Department the ideals aimed at m this scheme cannot possibly be obtained, for the following reasons:— Because . Because of the cumbersome and procrastinating methods of tho Government Department. Because you are not going to- got men. of tho actual practical experience required for this business in the Government service

Because of all things necessary, one of tho most important is tho sympathetic and intelligent handling of men and prompt attention to their requirements. Becauso certain powers and responsibilities absolutely essential to prompt dealing must bo given to tho administrators, which tho Government regulations will always be "up against." Because it is necessary that the board or managers should have lull power and absolute'control of the stall , , and the appointments or dismissals of same, i his cannot be done under a Government .Department. . ITecauso the working of such an undertaking cannot be strictly run between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4.H0 p.m. Settlers must be seen, at all times and, perhaps, places, and promptly dealt with one way or the other. . Because departmental regulations and red tape must bo absolutely dono away with. This settlement of the returned soldier on the land must be run strictly on business lines, and by men understanding tho business, otherwise you arc courting failure and causing discontent amongst tho settlers.

In dealing with (he. returned soldier and land settlement, one lias to remember that one. ivill deal with many men. who have liad no experience of laud, perImps not lived in the country before, iiml do not caro for reluming to their previous indoor occupations. Tt is nbsoluloly essential, therefore, dial everything 'should Ire (lone to humour them, and malio 'their surrounding* comfortiible and congenial, imd that an "adequato system nf expert advico iiml supervision" be see.nr:xl. A sympathetic and intelligent handling of the, men until they gradually fall into Ihn worlc, though ."till holding strict, supervision over them until they havo learnt to go "on their own," is absolutely necessary. In this case great caro must be exercised in the appointments of advisers. One of the most important featured necessary to successful closer settlement on land is that a, personal interest be taken, by the heads or managers in the settlers themselves by visits among thorn, etc. Such visits creaio a friendliness that enables each settlor to have no hesitation in discussing his position and prospect. l : with the heads. In fact, without this you will not gel. successful land settlement amongst men learning thn business. Ikcau'so ii settler lias been advised and given pamphlets, etc., it must not be thought all has now been .lone, and if the. man is not successful and has not, (••irried out instructions, it is his fault. The- success of Hip settler largely depends upon supervision, to see and assist him practically in can-yini; out the various instructions Rivi;n. Supervision rnniiire-; to bo constant, linn, and lacttiil. M'lio settler and the supervisor require to be constantly in touch with e-auh other. A friendly chat as lo how he. is getting alori" ii w.ilk round his plnee. a. kindly hint lirat thing-) do notsec.ni right, and an appreciation of anything done well help Hie settler more than anything else. If, !„ spilo of this. Mil' settler still goe.- on his muddling ur disconlenled w.i.v, then get rid of him wl. oncn. Would ii not lie <i prudent, course for Hie Minister fKvnalor Jlillen). before his ■Repatriation Bill is drallcd or submitted to Iho Cabinet, to consult men who have

hiicl pniclical experience in settling and subdividing liiixl, men. who hiivo hail cx-lioriiMn-i' in tho chwiir settlement ol' (liiir.vinj,'. wheal; anil oat growing, lanil) raising, fruitgrowing, ntc, jiicmi to whom hn himself would go fen- Iho best iwlvicn if hit rmilpinpliited purchasing land for subdivision? 'I'lio relumed suldier is i-nlitlnl lo tho best; wo can givo him. Tho pro.spec.ts of i successful repatriation <iu I hit land scoin to be boiler and the life- freer and more, independent lor rclurjicd soldiers than, most; other occupations, hut its success or failure will ilcpeml largiJy upon thm administration and th.it knowledge) of thnsn directing I hit work. Tim lies), expert, advice is avaikblo for l.hu Minister, iiml lio should not fail to ask for it ii.nd confer with it, fren of all political or Dcpai-fmeidal umjidcrations.