REPATRIATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 28 May 1919, Page 7

REPATRIATION.

MINISTER SPEAKS PLAINLY

GOVERNMENT- DOING ITS BEST,

a (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, June 28. Reference to the qtiestion of repatriation was made by the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald last night at a dinner to delegates of the Wellington Farmers' Provincial Union, go far as giving the returned soldier his due, said the Minister, we know it is absolutely impossible to assess in money the sacrifice which the soldiers of this country have made. We do not mean that we are doing all that the soldiers are entitled to perhaps, but we are doing all that the country can possibly do for him. You can only go as far as means will allow. Som© gentlemen who had gathered together in one of the southern cities. were talking a good deal about what ought to be done, but they never sadd anything about what had he-en done. Every member of the Repatriation Board was trying to do his best for the returned men. The Minister of Lands was ,m a very difficult position, because he had to get th e right etas of land for soldiers m the rigfct^position; at the right price. To put soldiers on the land with success was no easy ~ thing to do. rhe Government did not want to put i soldiers on the lartfl where they might not b e a success.