ESTABLISHED 1866, The Marlborough Express. FRIDAY, JULY 1917. THE REPATRIATION PROBLEM,

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 152, 29 June 1917, Page 4

ESTABLISHED 1866, The Marlborough Express. FRIDAY, JULY 1917. THE REPATRIATION PROBLEM,

Ifc cannot; be \ doubted that' the forceful message conveyed by -the Mayor pt Blenheim to Mr R. MeCaHum; M.P., on the occasion of the departure of the last quota for. the Reinforcements' ■' faithfully, represents the feeling that exists in this district on the question of repatriating the returned soldiers. Everyone who honestly desires" to see' justice done ■'tp~. the ..men: to -whose personal, sacrifices the! country-: ciTves its Very v preservatiori^-and'. we beliQyet'.that^ the corinnuriity as a whole' is genuinely ;anxious > as a matter ,p£ downright conscience apart from; sentimental', gratitude, to do its dutyin this, respect—will w"armly welcome the timely appeal. \ The 'Major's words, uttered, as'they were, in the' name of the people oj: Marlborough, should barry, considerable weight, more especially if, as there is reason to believe will be the case, ithey are supplemented in the House by proofs of: a 'kindred feeling in other parts of the Dominion. The Member / for Wairau is riot likely to be as a voice crying in the wilderness when he delivers the /Marlborough message to' the National , Government,, for abundant evidence has been forthcoming of widespread dissatisfaction vvith' the inadequacy of the system of settling returned soldiers on the land. In the case of our own province"'the' plea for more-liberal provision has a special force, as it emanates from. a district that holds one of the proudest records in New Zealand in the response to :the call for man-power. No..pbryioii of -the Dominion can; qlaim to, have,made a more prompt', more thorough, or , more i sustained contribution to the forces that have so finely distinguished themselves' at the ; front. It is. fitting thai; the community should be • enabled to receive back and retain its own bone and sinew; arid it is right and proper that the men -vvho'are happily, spared by the fortunes of war should"have! the opportunity of resuming civil life on -an'assured footing in their • foririej* surroundings and among their own , kinsmen and '. friends. The Government may be assured ihat/ the demand for local repatriation is a! deeply-rooted one;'it springs'.'from, a sentiment worthy of a full riieasure of respect, and it has sound recommendations ,of a practical character. The suggestion may be made, too, that the acceptance ,of this principle, creating, as it would, a helpful environttierit . for... the ex-soldiers,, would make in a material degree for the success of : the1' land-settlement' system. We join with the Mayor in, hoping that no time will be lqstj, in according to the Marlborough people the consideration to 'which they are entitled by their outstanding representation iri ttie firing-line. the .1500 men who •', have gone forward from this district for active service a very large proportion comprises the sdns or the, employee,s of fanners, arid if the members of this class are to be justly treated early steps will , have to be talien to prepare for their return. The people bi Marlborough have shown ' a particular proof of .earnestness in the matter, and the Government may fairly be asked tq count this in their favor. We refer to the appointment of an organiser by the energetic Land Committee of t.he Marlborough Patriotic Society. The work of that official, who has entered on his duties,- is'to' spy. out the land and obtain firm offers of areas suitable for settlement by exsoldiers. Thus the Committee will be enabled to formulate for presentation to the Government a tangible scheme '' with definite terms, conditions, and prospects; and in this way the Patriotic Society will be in a position greatly to assist the responsible authorities in the establishment of an effective and sound system of settlement. The best of local know T ledge and experience is being brought to bear on this undertaking, and the Government may be assured that whatever reco'mmendntions are made to it will deserve full sympathy and confidence. ,

This mothod of i'ac;ng the great national problem of _ the day should simplify and expedite the task to no small extent, and should resolve 'the present nebulous outlook into a concrete und satisfying purpose. The rough ground having been cleared, it will remain for the Government to do the rest. But before that point is reached much ..will depend on the patriotism and goodwill of the landowners of the district. Indeed, it is in their .power 1.0 make or mar the cause; to which the Lands Committee of the Patriotic Society is devoting its energies along such well-designed lines. Their measure of generosityand reasonableness will count for almost everything; it will mean the difference between success and

failure. It would be to their lasting credit to do their iriiportant part in bringing the Land Committees important scheme to a triumphant issue. ■