EX-SOLDIER FARMERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18321, 11 August 1921, Page 6

EX-SOLDIER FARMERS

ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT. HARD WORKERS ONLY NEED APPLY. (Pib United Peess Association.) WELLINGTON, August 10. The difficulty under which many returned soldiers settlers arc labouring owing to the linancial stringency, was recently the subject ol representations to ilio ot l,ands by the executive council of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. A deputation pointed out that many ex-soldier farmers were left in the position of not bbing' able to discharge their debts to storektfejpbrs who had supplied them hitherto -witb the necessaries ot lite on credit, and that they Tldw found it impossible to continue on those lines. The committee placed before the Minister several suggestions, which it Was contended might assist him in alleviating some of the hardships being experienced, especially by those engaged in sheepfarming. The Minister received the suggestion favourably, and has now communicated with the secretary of the association. In his reply the Minister said, “The trouble would appear to concern principally the soldier-settlers who are sheepfarmers and graziers ot stock, and the difficulties under which they labour is due primarily to the poor prices now obtained for their wool and fat stock. I have much pleasure in informing you that this'matter has received the shrious ” consideration of the Government, arid it haa been decided that the only solution of the difficulty is in the direction 6f providing further financial assistance, bjr an 1 adjustment of mortgages, with a consequent increase in accommodation, such adjustment to relate only to those soldiersettlers who are hard workers, who have done sterling work in the development of their properties, and whom I consider should bo offered every inducement to remain on the land.”