SOLDIERS' SETTLEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1915, Page 3

SOLDIERS' SETTLEMENTS.

GOVERNMENT'S DISAPPOINTING OPTER. Mi'. J. Anstey, M.P., and those who are associated with him in the effort to secure the reservation of a large part of the Benmore rims for the benefit of returned soldiers, have been exceedingly disappointed by a telegram which Mr. Anstey has received from the Minister for Lands, says the Timaru Post. Mr. Masey states that he has decided to retain for settlement by returned soldiers twelve subdivisions of Benmore, ranging from 400 acres to 1500 acres, and the disposal of the balance of the runs is to proceed. Mr. Anstey has replied, strongly urging Mr. Massey to reconsider the whole question. The member for Waitaki expresses keen surprise and disappointment at the meagre provision proposed for returned soldiers, pointing out that the Minister actually intends to put them on blocks that will carry only from 200 to 500 sheep, so that the occupants, who will have to live on the sections, cannot possibly expect to make a living wage out of them. The rest of the estate is to be cut into profitable runs carrying from 2000 to 4000 sheep, and these runs are to go, not to soldiers, but to men who do not go to the war. Mr. Anstey says that he actually knows of eligible men who will not enlist as long aj there is a prospect of obtaining a Benmore run by staying in New Zealand, and he declares that the Minister's proposal offers a serious discouragement to recruiting. Mr. Anstey has also written to the Hon. Dr. McNab on the subject, urging the importance of proper provision for the future df returned soldiers as an aid to recruiting. Benmore is to be cut into forty runs, buT Mr. Anstey, Mr. C .J. Talbot, M.P., and others who recently went over the country are very strongly of opinion that there is ample opportunity for subdivision into sixty runs, and they hold that these would not be too many for distribution among the men who have been fighting the country's battles. These runs, of course, would be suitable only for men who know something of sheep farming. Other provision will have to be made for returned soldiers who would like to take up fruit culture and similar industries.