SOLDIER SETTLERS.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13937, 21 July 1917, Page 1

SOLDIER SETTLERS.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION. AGRICULTURAL TRAINING NEEDED, One of the important points nunlioned in the final report of the Dominions Royal Commission is the prospect of settling discharged soldiers on the land in various parts of the, Empire. The Commissioners stale, first, that some of the preconceived notions with regard to emigration from Ihe United Kingdom will have to be modified. They suggest that the British Government will have to take steps to discourage the emigration of agricultural workers, and they hint at the necessity for power being taken "to limit, or prohibit, the emigration of men, particularly men of military age, from the United Kingdom, except to destinations approved by the proposed Central Emigration Authority." The report mentions that it is not a fact that Britain has a surplus of women'suitable for emigration. The excess of females over males in tho United Kingdom amount to 1,329,000 for all ages, bul au examination of the statistics show that much of the surplus of females consists of elderly women, The Dominions are not likely to make niccessful immigrants of women over for',': five years of age, and they do no! want that class. Dealing with the question of land settlement by discharged soldiers, the

commissioners state that they did not sec in any'of the Dominions "any strong desire on the part of ex-soldiers to return lo the land. On the contrary, we found that some of those who had previously worked on the land showed no inclination to return to it. It must be admitted,' however, that experience so .far has been confined to men who have returned-suffering from injuries or shock, and that- this experience may not be a safe guide to the future."

"Even granted that military and other exigencies permit of male emigration after the war is over," says the report, "it >.eems likely that the avail able shipping accommodation will be so taxed to provide for the Dominion troops returning to their own homes tlia't there will be no room, for some considerable time, for other intending emigrants. ' If, however, the Governments of the Dominions undertake special, schemes, such as are now under con'sideraiion, for the settlement on the land of their own ex-service men, we think it more desirable that, whore laud is available, these schemes should be, extended later on to ex-servico men who can be spared from the Moflier Country. . Indeed, we gather that such is the present intention of the Governments of most of the overseas Domi-

nious, I "We are strongly, of opinion that if such' schemes are to* be a success they will have to provide for preliminary training in agricultural liietliocls in the •Dominions concerned, and also for tho supply on easy terms of the capital and equipment needed" for' the intending soldier-settler W tho profitable cultivation of his laud, We also emphasise the need for such precautions' as will secure continuous occupation, and prevent speculative sales of Hie lands allotted for settlement." 'i The report also suggests that a e'entral authority will ( be required to take steps for the eo-oi'dination of the schemes-of the various Dominions, and to assist intending emigrants in making their clioiec, This authority would 1 interview applicants and refer them, to | the representatives "of oneot the Do- ' minions. ', Preference uhould be given to married men oilmen accompanied by ■-female -relatives.,!' !-■"%.,. !'', 1' ":S •t,iJr s yX'i-a.<,> . .'■■,!'ii.H'.'i ifrA'j, ,-> yi.,,j)