SETTLEMENT OF SOLDIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17269, 19 September 1919, Page 8

SETTLEMENT OF SOLDIERS

DEPUTATION TO FARMERS.

ASSISTANCE PROMISED. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] "WELLINGTON.' Thursday.

A deputation from the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association waited upon the New Zealand Farmers' Union conference to-day, for the purpose of discussing the question of settling soldiers on the land

Mr. D. Seymour, general secretary of the association, said the present machinery was too slow, was not working well, and j was quite inadequate. Now that so many men were returning, soldiers could nob be [provided with land. The Government's ; reply that it had plenty, of land was not true. There was a suspicion that the Government wanted to unload some unsuit- . able land upon soldiers before it acquired any more. The association was gratified to see that the Farmers!' Union favoured the appointment of committees of advice, and that a committee of farmers was prepared to render all the assistance possible to returned men. i Mr. G. S. Mitchell, organiser of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association, said his association felt that there was some danger of placing soldiers on highpriced, fully-developed land. He outlined the association's scheme for settling soldiers on large blocks of undeveloped laijd, and asserted that increased production was the key of the situation so far as New Zealand was concerned.

Mr. W. B. Mathieson (Wellington) congratulated the association on its practical scheme, and other speakers expressed themselves to the same effect.

Mr. D. James (North Canterbury) moved : —"That this conference is in full sympathy with returned soldiers in their desire to get upon the land, and is prepared to actively assist their association in its efforts to secure undeveloped land.'' Mr. J. H. JoU (Hawke's Bay) seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Three cheers •were given for the returned soldiers.

PRESENT POLICY CRITICISED.

DISSATISFACTION AT KATKOHK [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] KAIKOHE. Thursday.

During a discussion on soldiers' settlement at a meeting of the Farmers' Union last night several speakers scathingly criticised the Government policy of buying improved estates at inflated prices when there were 'thousands of acres of surveyed Crown land lying unproductive. A resolution was carried that the Government be asked to load bush sections that are being opened up for soldier settlement with the value of the milling timber thereon, instead of as at present sailing the timber rights to others, thereby retarding settlement.'