MERE “OCCUPIERS”?

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 50, Issue 3056, 31 March 1941, Page 7

MERE “OCCUPIERS”?

SOLDIERS ON THE LAND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FARMERS’ UNION VIEWS “So far as I can see, the returned men settled on the land after the war are simply going to be employees of the Government. It that going to be good enough for our returned soldiers? It is not good enough for the average farmer,” queried Mr V. W. Simms, chairman of the Northern King Country Executive of the Farmers’ Union. The whole question of the returned soldiers settlement would have to be taken up very seriously with the Government, continued Mr Simms. That the Returned Soldiers’ Association had not already taken up the question was a matter of surpise to him, for small farm settlers were nothing but State employees, and it was apparent that returned soldiers would go on the land as small farm settlers. No plan for settlement was in existence, though already men were being invalided home from. Egypt.

Mr S. Riddle said he was afraid there was a .plan. The Government had a great leaning to- community farming—the . Minister had again and again refused to grant tenure on development blocks. Mr Simms said he would bring the matter to the notice of the Auckland Executive.