DISABLED SOLDIERS

Grey River Argus, 29 October 1915, Page 3

DISABLED SOLDIERS

THEIR SETTLEMENT ON THE

LAND

A PRACTICAL SUGGESTION

AND A GENEROUS OFFER

(Per United Press Association )

WELLINGTON, October 27. A suggestion and a generous offer ' have been made by Mr G. P. Donnelly, of Hawke's Bay, in connection with the settlement of returned sold- ' iers, on land. Writing to the Prime Minister Mr Donnelly suggests that the present Land for Settlement Act should be. so amended as to allow the creation of a Military Board consisting of the Minister of Lands, the Crown Lands Commissioner, and five or six independent land proprietors. One district might extend from Tauranga Rotorua and Taupo districts to the Manawatu ptreami thus including large aroas at the present time lying practically idle 'and unproductive. , Mr Donnelly suergests the names of farmers Avho might serve on the ( Board. The first step should be the establishment of a military depot, and for this purpose some private land might be purchased and worked in conjunction with spveml large blocks of C^own land in Potane district. The Board, would collect funds and oifts of sheep, cattle and horses, and would arrange to have farms ready stocked, and fit for occupation by men returning from the front. Soldiers would have the opportun- ; tv then to become prosperous settlers, nnd eventually by increasing the pTMierpl productiveness of the country, relieve the general community of the heavy burden of taxation. There seemed no reason why men 'vho had suffered nnrtial disablement should nnt'be found useful an' 3 profitable work on the land under wholeso^e conditions. The Imperial Government had settled soldiers on land in Auckland district after the Maori wars and the system had been highly successful. Similar work was most successfully carried out by Hon. J. D. Ormond when stiperintendent of Hawke's Bay. All bush lying between Takapau and Woodville was cleared by settlers, and they not only cleared their own lands, fenced them and grassed them, but also made their own roads and assisted in biiilding railways. He thought that he was safe in saying that in both islands .£250,000 would be subscribed for returned soldiers, and he also felt certain that every farmer, runholder. merchant and storekeeper would heln by giving something to do towards the stocking 1 brassing and fencing farms, thus saving the Government from the necessity of imposing taxation. Tf his proposal were carried out h<\ would be prepared to give rash, and 1000 two and four-tooth ewes (when required), 15 rams, 50 two-year-old heifers, one shorthorn or polled angus bull, one thoroughbred stallion, and five mares, besides fowls and about .£SO worth of station stores. ' In order to carry out this scheme it would be necessary to have a good storage room arranged, for, in all the principal centres of both Islands in charge of an officer and staff to re-c.-ive all goods, and military camp depots to heive similar staff to receive all stock when required, t ffe would suggest that the area o land given to each individual should bo in accordance with his rank, viz. — Private's area, when fenced and grassed, to carry 1000 breeding ewes. Non-coms — 1200 breeding ewes. Sub-Lieuts. — 1400 breeding ewes. — 1500 breeding ewes. Colonels. — 1700 breeding ewes. Generals. — 2000 breeding ewes. The majority of the land would be second and third class. He would also recommend that ballot be done away with, and every section drawn for to ensure every man getting a block.