SOLDIER FARMERS

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 45, 21 February 1917, Page 2

SOLDIER FARMERS

DEALING WITH THEIR LAND

The problem of dealing with the land of farmers dra^vn in. the ballot was the subject of a discussion yesterday afternoon between the chairman. of the National Efficiency Board and Mr. J. A. Young, M.P, for Waikato.

Mr. Young staled that the farmers' unions in Waikato have had tlfe subject under consideration for some time and have formulated a scheme under which the; Government should purchase the farms of men called up. It is considered that in many cases unless, something of this nature is done the farms ' will deteriorate and live stock will go into the freezing works instead of maintaining their productivity of dairy produce and breeding new herds. .This, it is urged, would prove not merely a serious blow to the farmers immediately concerned, but would react upon the whole community, and prove a national calamity j The scheme suggested by the Te Awamutu Federation of Farmers' Unions is as under :■—

The Waikato farmers' representatives, who have Wen. making a .-Special study af the subject', have evolved a schema under which, the Government should purchase the farms of enlisted men with a view of settling . returned soldiers upon them. Briefly^ the scheme is outlined in the following resolutions:— (1) That/when requested by a baJM-ed soldier farmer, the latter's holding shouldbe valued by a Government valuer and one appointed by the soldier. (2) The value should bs paid in Government bonds if freehold; if leasehold the Government should take over the farm, and purchase the occupiers' inter*est, or as an alternative arrange for the transfer of the lease to a suitable purchaser. - - ■ •

(3) All payments or compensation to ■be paid or guaranteed by the Govern-, ment in connection with either freehold or leasehold interests to bo paid in Government, bonds.

(4) It -rrill be a suggestion- to the ■Government that the rate of interest payable on these bonds be not le6s than 5 per cent. •■..-..■'. ■. (5) In settling men under this scheme men of experience- in '■farming should be accorded preference as far as possible. / ...

(6) Repayments to be made to the Government on the lines provided by the Land Settlement Finance Act.

The board, it is understood, Has already considered the subject and made recommendations to the Government somewhat on the above lines, but confined to freehold lands.