Soldiers' Settlements

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 September 1917, Page 2

Soldiers' Settlements

A VIGOROUS PROTEST. Tho policy of settling returned soldiers in the backblocks when there arc available hundreds of aorcr of suitable lands near tho towns was vigorously condemned bv the mayor of Levin (Mr. 0. Blenkhorn) at the send-off to the .men going into camp 011 Tuesday evening; and the equally vigorous endorsement of bis .remairks :by tfye audience showed Ithait Ithere existed considerable feelim: on the matter in: this district. Mr. Blenkhorn announced that Mr. Parr, M.P., who was to have delivered his war lecture* tin Levin, would not be able to do so now, becaivo Parliament had decided (to sit on Mondays. "They are actually going to wo'rk five days a. wce.lc," he addtefd . amidst laughter. Tt would have been a good thing to have got a member of Parliament liierc, because we could have asked 'him what they meant by not taking land ait Kawiu for a soldiers' .settlement. There was no land in New Zealand more suitable for settlement than the Kaiwi'u Block (hear, hear). These soldiers had been in close comradeship for years, and it was not fail' now to ask thein to go on to the lonely farms. TSiey should ho settled on land close to centres of population, where they could have amusement and friendship. That was the .land to buy; not in tho centre of the island or the backblocks. (ITt?a<r, hears, and loud applause), "And we are going to see this matter through with yjo'iir kind assistance. (Mr Massoy would' not receive a deputation on this question. Well, Mr. iMasscy should be forced to receive a deputation." (iT/oud applause).

Tho Mayor stated that he was calling a public meeting shortly to discuss this matter, and he hoped they would' all roll up in foirce and paps a hot .resolution, .protesting! against pending men to what he called sufei.de in the lonely backblocks.

The follmrino; will represent tTjeVin in tlieir football match against' Central [Development Farm next Saturday, at T/evin recreation ground:— fullback, Joe Bonner; /Wifleleqxmrters, iSoiverp, "WKlson, Winiata-: ifiveMngjh'ts AViniiita, Heta : forwards "Wineira, OTeary, Bignell, ißansri, Bo wen. fWliniata, [Ryder, Tnohy. The proceeds of the match will be .arron to the HorowKemia County Patriotic Fund.