SOLDIER SETTLERS

Evening Star, Issue 17326, 14 April 1920, Page 7

SOLDIER SETTLERS

THEIR DIFFICULTIES. Some of ihe difficulties with which ioldier settlers are faced were brought before a meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association. These were contained in the report of a deputation who, during Easter time, visited soldier settlements in the association's district. The report gave details of the vis'it and concluded with the following list of recommendations, which were adopted : (1) That the Land Board be approached and urge that the Government supply grass seed sufficient to enable Mr R. B. Fowler to grass half of his property. (2) That the committee approach the local Land Board ana endeavor to procure a detailed statement of accounts half-yearly for all soldier settlers. (3) That the Executive Committee draw the attention of the Land Board to the fact that settlers complained of the delay in dealing with their correspondence and in the payments of their accounts. (4) That the Land Board be advised that it appears to be tho opinion of the local residents that the back poition of the Kirkland Estate should be cut up in sections of not less than 150 acres. (5) That the attention of the Land Purchase Board he drawn to tho Tpoperty of Mr Fcnton. of Ranfurly, and that "they bo asked to inspect this property, with a view to acquiring same for subdivision for soldier settlers. (6} That th-2 attention of the Land Purchase Board be drawn to the large tract of country in the Manictoto Plain which is owned by very few people, and that it be su£?ested that the board visit this locality, with a, view to acquiring such area for subdivision for soldier fcttkrs. (7) That the Minister of Lands ho requested to purchase the freehold of the Mount Pisa Estate, on which is the ehearing shed and dip. (8) That tho Minister of Lands be requested to consider the advisability of developing all orchard, flections before handing over for soldie" settlers. (9) That the Minister of Lands ba requested to remit the rent of Messrs Marsh and Tennat on the Westcolt Settlemen for a period of four years. The Minister of Lands wrote stating he had not overlooked the matter of a visit to soldier settlements of Otago. He found it difficult to get awav from Wellington owing to pressure oi work, but they could rest assured he would take the first opportunity of availing himself of the invitation.—This was referred to the Lands Committee, with a view to getting any _ recommendations to lay before the Minister in the event of a visit.