THE VITAL PROBLEM

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 4590, 16 May 1922, Page 2

THE VITAL PROBLEM

EX-SOLDIERS ON THE LAND

RE-VALUATION OF HOLDINGS URGED. INCOMPETENT SETTLERS USELESS. An interesting discussion ancnt the plight of returned soldier settlers took place at the annual conference of the Wellington District Returned Soldiers' Association at the week-end, when several speakers suggested means whereby the problem which had arisen might bo solved advantageously. In introducing the question, _ the chairman (Mr B. J. Jacobs) said an expression of opinion would be useful, since the association would have to formulate some scheme to place before the Government, whereby steps could be taken to alleviate the present distress in respect of settlers of Crown lands. BOTH PARTIES RESPONSIBLE. Mr John I. Fox (Feikling) said there was no doubt that both parties should take the responsibility for the existing conditons- of things. The i returned soldier should realise that he himself had been largely instrumental in asking the Government to settle men on the land. The scheme for placing ex-service men on the land had been instituted soon after the war started. Soldiers had raised their voices in such a demand and the Government, thinking that the fact of placing more men on the laud woidd tend to increase production, had adopted the scheme. Now it was clear that both the Government and the soldier had come to grief. The Prime Minister realised that a substantial loss would becurr if a revaluation were to be made. A solution ol the problem might, however, be found if the soldiers and the Government conferred, as between landlord and tenant. The Government should be asked to meet the settlers half way. If a state of mutual conn-] deuce could be established it would be satisfactory to all concerned, audio tin; country as a whole. It was the duty of the association to formulate a scheme which would rectify the existing positon. In the speaker's opinion, it would be difficult to have a general revaluation. An agreement definitely stated on the Statute Book should be arrived at, whereby the payment of rent would be deferred for a period of years. The returned man might then be given an opportunity to pull through. Much had been made of the fact that the credit of the Dominion on the Home market was good, but it would remain good onlv so long as the production wa.s maintained. Now, it would be seen, that the returned soldier on the land was indirectly—byreason of the fact of his being a producer—helping to the Dominion's credit. The association should demand a definite law regarding the navment of rent—a promise would be of no us. (Applause). After a general discussion, the chairman intimated that the opinions expressed would give the committee dealing with the matter a valuable lead. At this stage the conference went into committee. .

On resuming in open council, it was decided that the delegates to the Dominion conference bo instructed to press for a revaluation of Crown lands soldiers' settlement where such was deemed necessary.