SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16268, 29 June 1916, Page 8

SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

! AGRICULTURAL TUITION. TRAINING FARM SCHEME. THE MAYOR'S PROPOSAL. Thk settlement of returned soldiers on the land is a matter which is now being seriously discussed. Some interesting proposals relating to the question were made by the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, chairman of the Auckland Patriotic and War Relief Association, at a meeting yesterday afternoon of the executive of the association. Mr. Gunson's ideas received the approval of members, and a committee was appointed to discuss the proposals with presidents of bodies in Auckland representing the farming community, after which they will probably bo forwarded to the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, as Minister for Lands Mr. Gunson stated that while in Australia he had the opportunity of visiting the Hawkesbury Agricultural College, and obtained a good idea as to how the splendid work of that college is carried on. It had occurred to him that the executive might consider the question of representing to the Government the desirability of establishing what might be termed returned soldiers' training farms. He was of opinion that many returned men were genuinely desirous of settling on the land. Reasons for Establishment. " For the following reasons," continued Mr. Gunson, grave doubts must" be entertained about the future of the men in

this connection :—(a) Many are physically incapable at the outset of undertaking hardships connected therewith, (b) Many, owing to lack of experience of any kind whatever in connection with agricultural or pastoral pursuits, are quite unsuited for pioneering, and, consequently, are likely to fail, (c) Many, owing to lack of financial ability to secure stock or deal with unimproved land and who are incapable of engaging, on practical grounds, the needed assistance, will encounter difficulties which will prove unsurmountable. Different Classes of Farms. i " What I suggest, with a view of you representing it to the Government, is that three different classes of training farms be established by the Government under efficient management and run on business lines:—l. Stock and pastoral instruction 2. Scientific modern close system agricul- | ture. 3. Fruit, bee and poultry farming. " In regard to No. 1, if a suitable area, say, of 60.000 acres comprising ft large portion of open country in a district, like the Urewera Country were set aside for this class of instruction, and land contiguous reserved for trained men ultimately to take up, something of a practical character would be done. No. 2 farm would need to be on a different class of country, land suitable for agricultural methods of a modern class. If 10,000 acres of open country of good contour was obtained, not necessarily first-class lwid, it could be well developed in accordance with tho re-

quirements of those who elect to elas=' f v under this group. For No. 3 class 5000 acres of land should bo sufficient. Country suitable for fruit, also poultry and bee ! raising, should be selected. Numbers 1 ] and 3 farms might be recommended for 1 establishment in the North Island, and No 2 farm in the South Island. Training Several Thousand. ■ '' I have given careful consideration to this matter," added Mr. Gunson, " and I am of opinion that the problem of returned men and land settlement is not being dealt with in a maner that is likely to produce satisfactory or permanent results as far as the men are concerned. There would be no difficulty, in the event of this proposal being adopted, of making provision for training at one time several thousands of men under efficient instructors and capable management." The Mayor stated that he had attended a meeting at which 60 or 70 returned men were present. The proposals were put before them, and fully one-third of them intimated that they would be ready to work under euch a scheme. In© follow in" resolution was passed: "That this meeting of returned soldiers strongly supports and endorses the proposals of the Mayor of Auckland in respect to returned soldiers' training farms." Executive's Approval. Members of the executive generally heartily approved of the Mayor's proposals. Mr. V. J. Larner said trie seiieme was an excellent one. The Mayor: The idea is that the Government would get the men to work the farm, and this would go a long way to reduc the cost of the outlay. After further discussion, the Mayor suggested that a committee of three or four e set up to discuss the matter with the Farmers' Union and Agricultural Association, and see if the proposals were sound. Mr. Larner: How much money would the scheme require? The Mayor: Even if £1,000,000 is needed, and the proposal is found workable, I think it is worth considering. After some further discussion it was decided that Mr. Gunson, Mr. Bankart, and Mr. Larner be appointed a committee to meet the president of the Auckland branch of the Farmers' Union, the president of the Auckland Agricultural Association, and Mr. Skeat, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, at Auckland and discuss the proposals with them.