SOLDIER FARMERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 127, 31 May 1941, Page 14

SOLDIER FARMERS

SECURING LANDS

VIEWS OF N.Z.R.S.A.

CHANGES SOUGHT

A land settlement scheme for returned soldiers from the present war was discussed by the annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association yesterday afternoon and recommendations asking for changes in the existing law were approved. A special committee, reporting on the Small Farms Amendment Bill, approved the definition of a "discharged soldier," but recommended a special Act dealing solely with land settlement for discharged soldiers. It was suggested that the Government should prepare such legislation and submit the draft to the N.Z.R.S.A. for consideration, also that regulations dealing with soldier settlement should be submitted before being gazetted. It was considered that no land, or interest in land, owned by a returned soldier or his wife or dependant should be taken under the Act. As the committee considered that the provisions in the Small Farms Amendment Act for taking land were an infringement of the liberties enjoyed by the people, it was recommended that the Lands for Settlement Act should be used for that purpose. A RENEWABLE LEASE. The tenure of the land suggested was a renewable lease with the right of conversion into freehold after five years' occupancy, and that the sale of farms should not be allowed under ten years, except in exceptional circumstances. The lease, with right to purchase, should be on the capital value fixed from the productive capacity of the land, and not greater than 4 per cent., of that value, with J to 1 per cent, rebate from prompt payment. Recommendations regarding the financing of soldier settlers included provision to safeguard against financial j difficulties during the years of establishment.

Settler soldiers, the' committee considered, should be classified into experienced farmers, men with some knowledge of farming, and those with no experience or knowledge of farming. Only experienced farmers should be placed on second or third class land and they should be given rent, concessions and sufficient finance to enable them to make the holdings self-sup-porting. Those with no experience of farming should have at least one year of approved training. Consideration of physical capacity, age, and preference for a particular type of farming was also recommended. Advisory committees throughout the country were also recommended.

A number of remits dealing with soldier settlement were approved and the report was adopted.