THE LAND QUESTION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 145, 5 June 1919, Page 2

THE LAND QUESTION.

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ DESIRES. A PROPOSED “ORGANISATION*. A proposed orgaaiisatiuTi in connection with the Nrw Zc&land Returned Soldiers' Association to assist in putting returned men on the land teas brought before the annual conference of the association on Saturday afternoon by a subcommittee set up by the executive. The committee stated that the main reasons for its suggestions were : —

1. The widespread dissatisfaction both among scitleis and the public iu reference to the .settlement of soldiers on land. 2. The meagre proportion settled under the D.S.S. Act in comparison .with l what might have been done. 3. The imperative need for a national land policy in view of the necessity for increased production to meet war charges. 4. The advantage of land settlement to the soldier from a medical, occupational, and economic point of view. The scheme was :—

1. That a laud department and bureau be constituted as a feature in the activity of every ILS. Association large enough to w arrant it. 2. That such department be adequately staffed and controlled by a conimitt.ee directly responsible to and appointed by the association concerned, consisting of returned soldiers and civilians of sound judgment and experience in land questions.

3. That- the N.Z.R.S.A. appoint a- Dominion laud executive directly responsible to the executive of the association, but under it charged with the general conduct and policy of the activities of the association in reference to land, such land executive to be directly or indirectly representative of provincial districts, and to meet at regular intervals and to be composed of returned soldiers and civilians. 4. That a Dominion land office be established in connection with the headquarters of the association in Wellington, to be under the control of an officer whose duties shall be to act as land organiser and as secretary to the land executive, the expenses of such office anil executive to be met by a levy on local bureaux. 5. That it- shall be the duty of local land bureaux—(a) To disseminate to returned soldiers information on land, with the object of inducing as many suitable men as possible to take up land : (b) to inspect and report to N.Z.R.S.A. upon all .properties (which the Government contemplates acquiring for U.S. settlements; (c) to keep records of such application fur land, to assist him with expert advice for information both prior to and after his settlement. 6. That it shall be the duty cd the Dominion land executive —(a) To frame a Dominion policy ; (b) to make such representations to the Government on land settlement as it is thought desirable ; (e) to form local bureaux with information and regular reports ; (d) to promote the formation of local bureaux wherever it is thought decirable : (e) to form separate advisory committees frorti farmers engaged in every primary industry.

7. That- provision be- made by this eoniereuce. for such finance as iikiv be necessary to initiate, the -scheiiii'. Mr. D. J. B. .Seymour (general secretary; said the scheme had neeti luawu up because there had l»een complaints from associations that there were delays in headquarters dealing with land questions. The question was such an important one teat- it could well occupy the time of one man. Therefore th., scheme suggested that a special officer should be appointed by the association.

Mr. J. A. ( owles (Ma-stetton) said that, it, would be a wry desirable thing to establish the bureaux suggested to help to get returned men on the land and to give information required on the question. Mr. 11. Al. Haycock (Paliuerstoti North) advised caution in the selection <?!’ the officers to control the land bureaux. Owing to the stringency of the law in connection with land agents’ businesses men of ex-p-'fii’nce were needed.

Tim rport of the sub committee was adopted. It; was decided to refer the various remits on the land question to the Dominion Land Executive. The executive was instructed to arrange for a delegation t-o wait on Cabinet with regard t‘> the land policy proposed by the assot-ialion.

PIU ITEST AGAINST DF.LAA <. Whakattine. June 1. Ahieli indignation at the d. lay in settling soldiers on the laud is ex-)>r<i-,s.‘ d. At. the Returned Soldiers' Association- re-union, a-i- which about 100 were p”'‘s.nt, Mr. M. Douglas eomptejciu-d that ti.lth-ougb the. Woodlands Estate, Opotiki. wns ready, no soldtet.s were fwiiig set-tjerj there yet. Mr. W. C. Robert.-s. president <»f the U b-nka-!a-irc Agnciil-ttiral Association. >-:-i:d the Government appeared to lie tied hand and foot, by red t-arie. He advocated m< .ail boards for settling soldiers on the land. It- was resolved that this meeting strongly urges upon I,he Govcrn-ment. the! neeossity of quickly opening u,p the lartons lands in this country for settling returned soldiers.