Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1922. A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 399, 17 May 1922, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1922. A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

That the Government is faced with no mean problem in order to preserve the Discharged Soldier Settlement scheme from ultimate disaster is quite apparent from the discussion which took place at the annual conference of the Wellington District Returned Soldiers’ Association, at Palmerston North, this week. There was an appreciable absence of persiflage in the debate—there were no threats to annihilate the Government unless some increased measure of assistance was immediately forthcoming. On the contrary, the case for the Government received the same measure of consideration as that for the unfortunate soldier-settlers, whose plight prompted the discussion. In the circumstances, therefore, the decision of Iho meeting that the delegates to the Dominion conference of thcR.S.A. be instructed to press for an immediate re-valuation of Crown lands soldiers’ settlements where .such was deemed necessary is entitled to every respect, and we feel confident that it will have the careful consideration ol Mr Massey and his advisers. If the Government can do anything to relieve the predicament of these war veterans who intend remaining on the land it should certainly not neglect its duties in this connection. From observations and knowledge gained in Palmerston North and surrounding districts, where there ore several soldier settlements, it has been proved that many of these men who have, taken up land have turned out to be good farmers, and that, despite adverse conditions induced by low markets, they are making a very bravo and .strenuous effort to win through. They have shown through their actions that they are not of the complaining type; rather they have, suffered difficulties and set-backs in silence, and many of them have perhaps on some occasions been too silent. On the other band wc can readily appreciate the Government’s action up to the present in insisting that any carte blanche order for the reduction of valuations is out of the question—for there are many returned soldiers who, being more favourably situated than the majority, have made a success of their holdings —and that each settlement must be dealt with on its merits. Even Air Massey toned Ids optimistic remarks regarding soldier settlement at Fcilding lastweek, with the qualification that in some cases where too much had been pajiteror the land the Government have to make a reduction, and it would do the right thing. Occurring as it did iu the course of his policy speech, the soldier-settlors may rest assured that this promise was not lightly made—and with Mr Massey a promise made is a debt unpaid. In passing, however, the "Standard” earnestly hopes that the redemption of the promise will not be too long delayed, as the longer the re-valuation is postponed the harder the struggle will bo for the surviving settlers and the larger the crop of failures. From the standpoint of the prosperity of the country as a whole, if nothing else, the situation should ho faced by the Government and relief afforded the needy, iu order to permit them to farm on successful lines. If the State stands behind all deserving cases coming within this category, it will induce others to back up the soldiers and thus give the production of the Dominion a welcome fillip. And, as a last word, even though a percentage of the men arc being handicapped through Jack of experience in fanning, does not a certain moral responsibility for their welfare lost on the shoulders cd a Government that, knowing their disability in this connection, did not hesitate when times were good to put them on the land? To this there can bo but one ; answer.