SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 167, 12 July 1918, Page 3

SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

FARMEIIS UNION ATTITUDE

SETTLING UNIMPROVED' ARF-A^

The question of land settlement. ]vu>licularly as it affects the iepatr;at:oiof soldiers, was discusse-d on -oaturiaj

by Mj- J. Boddde, .Auckland proviiuia president 01 the Farmer:-*'. Union, wtu Mated that the Farmers' Union had given the various aspects of the mr.t tu- very eareiul consideration. Tmunion recognised that in the. adoption ov the Government of a policy, of -so' d'ier settlement, such a.s had teen persistently advocated by the Herald, Jay » the solution of the problem, not.oni.v of' successful soldier bin also of the increased production of the Dominion's staple export*, so urgently required' "in order to meet the increased responsibilities due to the war. lit reply to -a question as to hi.' opinion of "the statement by the Hon. IX H. Guthrie regarding the acqmsi tion of improved lands for soldier s*-t tiers, Mr Boddie said he knew M? Guthrie to be a practical farmer, anc he had difficulty in 'believing that tn«- ! statement-' ■ represented the Minister .- real -views. The speaker <added that- he was convinced the statement was sa-ai at variance 'with the views held by l.'if farmers generally. The union, said M: Boddie, had always- recognised. tiia' while there would bo a considerable number of returned men wishing i-. take up land who, on account of t.'.ei. physical or mental condition, would it quire to be placed- on land more cless imbroved, and within easy- re.ic! of civilisation, the .great majority \vh< , would ultimately return would' be qr.iti' j able to ta?.-;-e.- up and develop uuim p proved land under reasonable' cc.idi tions. 'Considerable areas of unimprov ed land were still to be found in m::n;. parts' of New Zealand, but the An: 1 !; innd. Province provided a field err ntntly suitable for the class of : .set lie rr.ent' referred to. and the man wh: had fought the Empire's battles shoulr' at least be given the opportunity t earn a reward similar to thnt. .of for—er pioneei-s on the land. This class of dP.ttlement would certainly prove mo) satisfactory to both the settlers an the community at large than tb scheme favoured by Mr 'Outhries. P was recognised -by all who cared l> think that every effort had to b< made to increase "and- ker-p increa-in . our exports, and it was extreme! doubtful if settling /the men on in proved land would effect this to an appreciable extent. The- substitutin of men, in many oases, with little o no experience and limited capital, wl,were already successful producer?, v.„

obviously an. factory* method o land; settlement. '"ln my opinion, said Mi- Boddie, "no scheme can l« satisfactory which does not provide !\> the occupation and development of tin vast tracts of loeked-up unimprove' lands, 'be they native or Oovern'ni :if owned, that ivi 1: know exist in alrr.os! every corner of this province."

Mr Boddie said that of course an' policy of- developing unimproved land must jbe associated with a progress'v roadina: policv of a national character The hardships caused in the pn^ ( through' the lack of a comprehensive roading policy in association with lanr 1 settlement had be.en a blot on the h"-' ments an-d extreme care should be tak settlement policy of successive Oove-n en to avoid the mistakes of the pas' in this respect.