LAND FOR SOLDIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16032, 25 September 1915, Page 6

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

The Bill providing for the settlement of returned soldiers on the land should prove a popular measure It is intended to give soldiers preference at ordinary land ballots, but this will necessarily be advantageous only to such men as can comply with all the usual requirements of the Land Act and can satisfy the Land Board that they are able financially and otherwise to manage the farms for which they apply. By this avenue a certain proportion of soldier-agriculturists will be able to settle permanently on their own farms, but by far the greater number will possibly need some financial assistance to enable them to take up land. The Bill submitted to the House last night is intended to meet such cases. It is doubtful if the £50,000 allocated for the purpose will go very far, but when the extent of the demand is apparent it can be met by a further vote. If care is taken to select suitable men and to place them on reasonable areas of productive land, no better investment could be found for Government funds. New Zealand has always need of men who have the inclination to follow agriculture and sufficient training and energy to enable them to make a success of it. In whatever numbers such men are found among the members of the Expeditionary Forces they should be encouraged and assisted by every means within the power of the State.