SETTLEMENT OF SOLDIERS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 354, 13 February 1917, Page 2

SETTLEMENT OF SOLDIERS.

A recent cable from London states that the Colonial Office is preparing an extensive scheme for the. settlement of soldiers within the Empire. Great Britain finding the money and the Dominions the land. The scheme is moulded on the most generous lines and British Dominion soldiers will be placed on the same footing. It would seem that Mr. G. P. Donnelly’s cable sent on 12th January, 1917. to the Hon. the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, and Mr. J. 11. B. Cook has been most favourably considered. Mr. Donnelly’s cable reads as follows :— “The Dominions have raised several millions for expenses of sending troops to fight for the Empire. Having done so I would earnestly siigest that it is our duty to raise further loans for the Dominion of New Zealand, say five millions, for assisting returned soldiers in all spheres of life, more especially in settling them on the land. As 1 have previously stated there is more than sufficient land lying partly unimproved and unproductive on the East Coast between Napier and Thames, which when settled is capable of carrying at least the majority of the soldiers likely to go on the land. This is one of the finest climates in the world, equal to South France, and the land should be purchased by the Government before the railway is construct-

ed. This scheme would show- appreciation of services rendered, would be self-supporting and add to the nroducing capacity of the Dominion. I would suggest you bring before conference tho advisability of other Dominions taking similar action.”