SOLDIERS ON THE LAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3566, 18 July 1922, Page 10

SOLDIERS ON THE LAND

SIR ANDREW RUFFLE'S VIEWS. DEVIN, July 10. Sir Andrew Russell, president G f the Dominion Returned Soldiers’ Association, addressed a public gathering here at the soldiers’ carnival on the question of soldiers’ settlement. lie said it was unfair to blame the Government generally for the position in which many returned men found themselves, because if the Government had not purchased land there would have been a howl from end to end of the dominion. But if the same foresight and wisdom had been shown in regard to land settlement as was shown in the case of repatriation to trades by setting up boards of experienced men io ensure that no soldier went cm the land without a fair chance of success, there would not now be such urgent need for action. As a result many men were put on the land with altogether insufficient experience and training, and had not had time to learn to farm in a skilful way before the fall in produce prices came. Another mistake made was in not appointing, at whatever cost, experienced supervisors to instruct these men. The R.S.A. suggested to the Government that the whole question was too serious to be put off by expressions of pious goodwill. It was 11 pessary that past rents be written off where it can be shown that the men are unable to pay them. There should be a revaluation for rental purposes, and men unable to make a success of farming at those reduced rentals should go off the land and make way for those who could make ends meet. Finally, tWv advocated that revaluation for capital purposes was not so urgent, but very necessary. The prices of produce were not stabilised yet, but the Returned Soldiers’ Association urged that revaluation be based on the prices of produce for the past 12 years. They did not claim that as the best basis, but said to the Government: “Find a better one.” The Returned Soldiers’ Association made a strong point of the soldier helping himself by co-operation, improving his herds, and shouldering his obligations. Many at present were depressed because they could not see blue water ahead,