THE Ellesmere Guardian. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1916. LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XXII, Issue 3822, 2 August 1916, Page 2

THE Ellesmere Guardian.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1916. LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

With which is incorporated "The Elles mere Chronicle. '

It is a source of considerable satisfaction io every loyal citizen of the Dominion to know that the National Government has made provision whereb^ the young men who are helpL g in the defence of the Empire on the field of battle, and assisting to maintain those principles for which our Empire stands, are to re ceive such help as they need on their return af.er the declaration of peace. Those who are unfortunate enough to be disabled, either temporarily or permanently, arc to re ceivc as^ist|,Dce thrbugh the most liberal pension scheme adopted in any part of ihe Empire, and, if able to do work of any description they will be assisted by the State until they are in a position to maintain themselves and their dependents in comfort. A permanently disabled man will, of course, receive a pen sion, while, in many cases, only temporary relief will be needed N>t only has the Government pledged itself to lake good care of those who return in indifferent health, or who may be disabled in any way, but it h s given an assurance that every possible assistance will be rendered o those who return io good health and who de he to settle on the land- It is, of course, only right that thosa who are unable to go to fie front should make sacr~ fives in other directions, not merely j by lOotributiDg to oi:e or othe^ of the j war relief funds, f*r thar, after aP, j is not-a great sacrifice, if, indeed, it J can be termed a sacrifice at all io a ' great many cases. Compared to the sacrifice many of the brave sous of this you g country are making io France, donations to war relief funds, however large they may be, are trifling, The National' Govern- ! rnent has agreed that it is the duty and privilege of all v/ho arc unah'e to go to ths war to render soms measure of assistance to those m n

home and who may need help. So it has passed legislation which will enable returned soldiers to become farmers. I Already the Government is on the look out for land suitable for farms for returned men, and we believe that a purchase was made a week or two ago somewhere in South Canterbury. There appears to be a good deal of difference of opinion regarding the question of settling soldiers on land. Many people think the. Government should open up large es'ates in the backblocks, and cut them up into suitable sized farms, while others hold that the price to be paid for land should not exceed a certain figure, which would make it impossible to get laid of anythiog like good quality in reasonable proximity to a township or railway. Our opinion U that every facility should be afforded msn to settle in the district in which they " made their homes prior to leaving for the front We do not believe in asking returned men to go into the backblocks, or even into other districts, to make their homes, unless they choose to do so. We shall be told that the price of land in EUesmere is prohibitive. It has certainly reached a high price; but we do not know of any instances where farmers, even with small capial, who undsrstand their business, have failed to make a living on land; in this district. Several fairly large properties in various parts of the district are admirably adapted for daiiying purposes, and, if cut into blocks of from 50 acres upwards, according to the quality, esch block would comfortably support a soldier and his family, and, perhaps, prove a stepping stone to a larger holding. The cutting-up of these properties would make for the advancement of the district as a whole* But there is another good reason why soldiers from this district should have the opportunity of settling on the land here on their return; they will be amongst their own friends and rela. tives. After the land has been secured, it will take a good deal of money to stock it, and there are various oiher difficulties to be overcome. In the case of a man who does not er joy the best of health, or who is sligh ly disabled, a little help from revives 'or friends would be an excellent thing, but. if the soldier had to settle in the backblocks, or in a strange district, this would be out of the question No doubt, (he Government will make inquiries as to the prospect of obtaining land here in due course, but, in the meantime, it would facilitate matters if people desiring to sell would let their desire be known, so that the Land Purchase Board may inspect properties so offered.