SOLDIER SETTLERS

Evening Star, Issue 18020, 14 July 1922, Page 5

SOLDIER SETTLERS

PROPOSED BOARD OF INQUIRY.

A LOCAL VIEW.

GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT DELAY,

In the course of a talk with a ‘ Star ’ representative on the proposal of the Government to set up a board to go into the position of soldier settlers, Colonel T. W. M.'Donald (president of the Dunedin R.S.A.) said ho was heartily in agreement with the Government’s decision. The main reason for all the agitation about soldier settlers was that the men had a burden which they could not carry. The association had fought for end stood for rovnluatiem with tho view to unloading the soldier of his excessive burden; but, pending the bringing about of revaluation, a remission of charges was wanted. They knew that tho Government had very generously postponed 1 the payment of charges, but such postponement had not had the desired effect. It was having an adverse influence on the contentedness of tho men, and tended to break their hearts by tho knowledge that a remission this year meant doubling their liability for nextyear; or, in other words, it placed a millstone round their necks at an increasing rate of severity. The total sum involved in soldier settlements was so largo that the Government’s action in setting up a Commission to thoroughly investigate before it decided on its plan was, he thought, a wise one, and lie believed it was done with the intention of helping the soldier settler.

“But if the ryl-ief is to be effective,” continued; Colonel M'Donald, “tho Commission should he put into operation immediately, so that the relief will bo afforded as soon as possible. It is essential also that Otago and Southland should have a special representative on the board, on account of the fact that soldier settlements in these districts arc peculiar and totally unlike any in other parts of New Zealand. This is chiefly because there is a large area of high country subject to snow for a great- part of the year. Then there is a large area of arid country, the rabbit- pest, and tho irrigation problem, chiefly in Central Otago.”