THE OAMARU MAIL FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1920. LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14705, 4 June 1920, Page 3

THE OAMARU MAIL FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1920. LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

The Conference of the New Zealand lteturned Soldiers Association now sitting in Wellington tackled a big subject when it essayed the task of dealing witlx the question of providing land for soldiers and Stt te joans to soldier settlers to enable them to get a fair start. But it did so in a very direct fashion, or by what in military parlance is termed a frontal attack, and, what is more, the assault upon the Government citadel was effective, though it remains t-o be seen whether it will result in capitulation, or an appeal for ail armistice with a view to a peace of compromise. The first demand made is that the Government shall forthwith put into operation the law by which land for soldier settlements may be taken compulsorily. , Then the proposition was put forward that the land acquired should be paid for in State bonds. Finally a demand was made that more stringent steps should be taken to enforce the Law relating to the imposition of the graduated land tax with - a view to forcing large landholders to place their land in the market. . Now these are practical methods of dealing with the weighty subject, and they are also practicable. But they are scarcely likely to elicit a favorable response from a Government whose real sympathies ar© with the laige landowners, and whose retention of power rests in the main upon the goodwill and favoring smiles of the big wigs of the Dominion. What the Conference asks for is an encroachment upon vested interests and the rights of property—great principles that are held sacred by politicians of the Conservative political faith. That is the creed that the Prime Minister and a substantial majority of his colleagues hold fast to with all the ten- \ acity of fetish' worshippers, and it would be overmuch to expect from i them such a surrender of their political faith as acquiescence' in the proposals of the Conference. It is asking Tories to adopt a radical programme, and such a violent transitionscalls for too great a surrender df cherished principles. The only hope of securing such a conversion lies, not in conviction, but in fear of consequences, and with its substantial majority in the House and a general election two years and a-half away the lever of -fear is rendered an ineffectual implement. It may be perfectly, true that statutory authority exists for the doing of' what is asked for, but that does not count for very much. Acts are not always, made for vigorous administration. They are ofttimes merely showy creations de-: signed for exhibition in ,-the political shop window as an allurement for electors on the eve of a. general election. However, a direct challenge has been issued to the Government to put the. law into operation, and it will be interesting to learn how the Prime Minister will treat that challenge. "We do not care to venture far into the realm of prophecy, but we are prepared to express the opinion that be will not give a favorable response, but will find some plausible reason for inaction. The Conference also passed a number of- minor remfe in connection with land and land administration, but we have not space to deal with these to-day, though some of the proposals are of sufficient, importance to' call for critical examination. As we have mentioned, the Conference also dealt with the'question of advances to_ soldiers under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Loans Act, and it made out a strong case. After

passing a motion setting forth,that the Conference viewed "with consternation the sudden withdrawal by the Government of loans to returned soldiers" under the Act, it demanded that immediate provision should be made by Parliament for dealing -with all applications that were lodged with Land. Boards prior to April 25th, which involves a review of applications that were declined because of the Govern-, ment's withdrawal of loans. The Conference then clinched the nail it had driven home by calling upon the Prime Minister "to redeem the promise made by him to the last Conference that the Act will , remain in operation until every returned soldier is settled on the land." There' can be no escape from the obligation thus entered *nto. for the Dominion stands committed through its chief administrator to continue the policy to the end of the chapter, and any attempt to curtail its operation would be an act «of gross injustice to a large number of returned soldiers and a serious blemish on the honor of the country. But we do not think there is any intention on tlie part of the Government to: commit such a, grave breach of faith. We believe that the cessation of advances to soldiers was due to the provision made by Parliament having been exhausted, and that further provision must be made before the settled policy of the country can be pursued. Wo look to the Primo Minister, in whose keeping is the honor of the Dominion, to provide the means for redeeming to the full the obligation deliberately entered into. The cost may be great, but justice to the soldiers and the good name of New Zealand are above considerations of money. They are, indeed, of priceless value.