MAKING SOLDIER FARMERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 46

MAKING SOLDIER FARMERS

THE LAND SETTLEMENT POLICY. REPLY TO CROAKING CRITICISM. THE DOMINION AN EMPIRE EXAMPLE. (From Odr Own Correspondent ) WELLINGTON, February 2. Somo remarks were made to-day by the Prime Minister on recent criticisms of the Government's policy for the settlement of soldiers on the land. "I have noticed recently somo criticism of the soldiers' land settlement policy of the Government," said Mr Massey, "but I venture to say that what has been dono will speak for and appeal to anyone who understands the question. In connection with this subject the Government has a twofold object in view. It wants to give those soldiers who aro suited for an agricultural or pastoral life an opportunity of making homes for themselves and becoming prosperous settlers, and, at the samo time, by their industry, increase the productions of tho dominion and assist their fellow-citizens to meet tho liabilities resulting from the war expenditure. One sapient critic thinks that we should not buy largo blocks of land, but should buy out small farmers. Could anything be more silly or foolish? For instance, in the Otago district, where this critic resides, the Government has recently bought two large blocks of land at very low prices in proportion to the value of the land, and these blooks will cut up into over 100 farms. Surely no one with any intelligence will suggest that it .would be better to buy 100 small farms than to purchase these two large blocks. No argument is necessary on the point, and this land will be kept for soldiers, so that as our boys come back the land will bo subdivided end ready for them to settle upon. "The Lands Department is arranging to have different varieties of holdings to suit the various tastes of the new settlers and their circumstances and conditions; sheep farms for tho pastoralists, dairy farms for those who prefer that variety of farming, poultry farms, and land suitable for fruitgrowing, and so on. There will be many men partially incapacitated who could not possibly be expected to take up imimproved land in tho baak country, but who will do very well on small farms near to railway and good roads, and the centres of population. Then, by the Act of last year, tho principles of the Workers' Homes Act may be applied either in town or country for the benefit of returned soldiers, and homes will be erected for those who require them. Though, owing to tho excessive cost of building material, I do not adviso building on an extensive scale until tho war comes to an end, I adviso no one to go on to the land unless he is prepared to put up with a certain amount of hardship. Where tho new settler is physically suited to take up new country, I advise him to do so, and, with energy and industry and grit, in 10 years' time he will bo much better off than had he settled down on land already fully improved. I am speaking of those who are able to put up with hardship, but I know perfectly well that there are many of our men whom it would bo positively cruel to placo on a bush or swamp section. ' Tho Act of last session allows sections selected by these men themselves to bo purchased for individual soldiers, and in some instances this has been done. Up to the end of the year '6O soldier settlers had been placed on the land and were in occupation of their sections. There had been a few failures, but only a comparatively very small proportion. Tho lands boards and officers of "the Lands Department are taking a very keen interest in these -settlements, and are doing everything possible to assist the soldiers. Just at the present these settlers have many difficulties to put up with, owing to th« very high cost of fencing and building material, and even of implements and appliances, but these high prices are only temporary, and will end with tho war. Tho department is setting apart blocks of the best of the bush land now remaining, and when the opportunity offers, soldiers will bo employed getting it ready for settlement, making roads, and doing all the work which is necessary to break in new country. "I want it understood, and I have stated this repeatedly, vthat we are out to do tho best we can for the men. and at tho same time for the dominion. When wo buy land we buy it because the Land Purchase Board considers it suitable for our purpose. Wo don't buy it to suit land speculators or others interested. Wo are out to make tho scheme a success, and, though there will, be failures, I believe the scheme as a whole will be successful. It will stand criticism, and Ministers don't mind that sort of thing, but I would ask persons who ought to know better to assist and encourage the now men, as many patriotic citizens are doing, rather than' hinder and_ discourage them by croaking criticism, which does no one any good and often a great deal of harm. "In a book recently published in England. 'The Awakening of an Empire, by R G-. Webster, there is a chapter on soldiers' land settlement, in which the author makes special reference to what New Zealand is'doing, and concludes by saving: 'Would they could galvanise us into doing somcthirisr of the same kind, here. To that I would like to add. this is not the only direction in which New Zealand has led the Empire during the war.