SETTLEMENT OF SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16560, 8 June 1917, Page 4

SETTLEMENT OF SOLDIERS.

THE PROBLEM DISCUSSED,

[BT TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION ] WELLINGTON. Thursday. The question of settling soldiers on the land was discussed by the Advisory Board of the Patriotic War Relief Societies today. Various suggestions were made, but no decision was arrived at. The Wairarapa Patriotic Association urged that the Government should immediately provide imnrovod land by compulsory purchase, if sufficient was not made available voluntarily. The Canterbury Society considered that the present scheme was unsatisfactory, and strongly urged that the Government should initiate a comprehensive scheme for their settlement, and make adequate provision for placing such men on the land. The Timaru Society recommended that no more land for returned soldiers should be opened up until the necessity arose, as several blocks on properties already opened have not been applied for, and were still available.

A sub-committee of the Advisory Board reported that it had come to the conclusion that the problem could not be successfully handled by the board or patriotic societies, and consequently it had resolved that the National Efficiency Board be asked to accept the duties of assisting soldiers on to the land and into business, and, in special cases of necessity, allow a more liberal scale of financial assistance.

After considerable discussion, the whole matter was referred again to the board's sub-committee.