PATRIOTIC PROBLEMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4580, 8 June 1917, Page 5

PATRIOTIC PROBLEMS.

SOLDIERS AND THE LAND. Press Association Telegram. WELLINGTON. June 7. The Advisory Board of the Patriotic War Relief Societies to-day discussed the question of settling soldiers on the land. 1 Various suggestions were before the members, but no decision was arrived. at. The Wairarapa Patriotic Association urged that the Government should immediately provide improved land, by compulsory purchase if sufficient were %ot made available voluntarily. The Canterbury Patriotic Fund considered the present provision for soldiers unsatisfactory, and strongly urged the Government to initiate a comprehensive scheme for their , settlement and make .adequate provision for placing such men on the land. The Canterbury War Relief Society (Timaru) recommended that no more land for returned soldiers be opened up until the necessity 7 arose, as several blocks on properties already opened up had not been applied for and were still available. The sub-committee of the Advisory Board reported that it had come to the conclusion that the problem could ! not be successfully handled by the Board or patriotic societies, and consequently had resolved, to approach the National Efficiencv Board the object of requesting that the Board accept the duties of assisting soldiers on the land and into business. In special cases there was necessity for a more liberal scale of financial assistance. After .considerable discussion, the whole matter was referred ■again to the Lands vSub-committee of the Board. That punishment falls upon dependants when a soldier’s pay is stopped during a period of detention for some military offence, was mentioned by the Advisory Board. Tho Chairman referred to the case of a soldier wEo had been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, Ins pay being stopped for that period. The Board decided to approach the Minister for Defence with the object of protecting the wives and children in such cases. ~ The Board considered the question of soldiers’ pay and allowances. The opinion was expressed that the whole scheme of pay r demanded attention. The general - increase in the cost of living made them obviously 7 inadequate, and experience had shown that men could, not- allocate 5s per day from their pay to dependants,. They needed more than Is per day in England and France. It was suggested that the children’s allowance be increased from 9d to Is a day. After discussion the matter was allowed to stand over.

A letter from the Minister for Defence stated that General Richardson wished, to have the sum of £SOOO for expenditure on comforts for New Zealand sick and wounded. The Minister asked if the Board would provide this money from the sums donated by the patriotic societies. He added that more money-would be required tor the same purpose later. The Chairman said General Richardson was in charge of two New Zealand hospitals. Tiier© was reason to believe that the New Zealand Division might be in heavy fighting again soon, and comforts for the men in hospital had to be prepared in advance, to some extent. The Board authorised the chairman to interview the Minister for Defence and authorise the transfer of the money if tho reque-st is justified. The Board added that the balance of the money provided by the societies and now in the'hands of the Government should be handed over to the War Contingent Association in London.