A COMPLAINT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12636, 22 May 1919, Page 8

A COMPLAINT.

REPATRIATION BOARD CRITICISES GOVERNMENT. Member; of the Canterbury District Repatriation Board last, night complained bitterly of the Government’s delay m raking in hand the board’s schemes lo help returned .soldiers. . For some time the hoard, has:. Urged tho Repatriation Board in Wellington to establish poultry farms near Christchurch. Last night it received, the fob lewmg telegram from tho secretary of that body:— “Regarding poultry scheme, a detailed report on the proposal submitted hy your board has been submitted! by tin; poultry expert of the Department of Agriculture. In effect lid expresses grave doubt as to the’ advisability of financing a number of men to tho extent of at least £IOOO each before knowing whether or' not they arc suitable for the poultry industry. The poultry expert stresses the point that everything depends on the aptitude of the individual. Ho suggests, as a much more satisfactory alternative, that tho Government, should , start a poultry training farm at-.Christchurch, in order to try. out returned soldiers before actually financing them into farms of their own. This proposal is now under consideration by Repatriation Boards. The Lands Department advises that it possesses a suitable site, which is available for the purpose. The experience in the past has shown that very few men have been forthcoming for poultry training. Tho hoard would ho glad to know to what .extent returned soldiers are indicating their desire to learn poultry farming.” The chairman (Mr A. W T . Jamieson) said that there was no doubt that there had been unnecessary delay. It was due to inactivity on the part of a Government Department, which had not realised the importance of the question. The Government, had established a tuberculosis institution in the _ North Island, hut practically no applications had been received ' for admission to it. Mr F. W. Hobbs said that the Government had done everything the board had asked ’ in regard to tuberculosis, even making inquiries as to establishing a. poultry farm on the Cashmere Hills for men in tho Coiismntiou Sanatorium. Air W r . E. Headley said that ho had! the names of twenty-five men who would go on to a. poultry settlement on the lines of settlements in New South Wales. The scheme had been worked out in detail, and now the Government said that it was not feasible. Ho was beginning re think with Air E. J. Howard, that the Government was not sincere. It had no vision. That had been apparent all along. It took two •or three years to see that repatriation was necessary. He wa s so disgusted that, he hardly could express his views.

Mr N. B. M’Cttlhun said that he was keenly disappointed at the delays. Tbe men apparently were to bo loft ba. drift, about and do what they could for them-, selves. If necessary, tbe poultry farms should be established independently of the Government-by means of moneys collected by local patriotic organisations- Sooner or later that money would go to tho Government. ■Why not use. it at once for training men? It could not'-be expected that men would go up to tho.-Jvorth’ Island, possibly at a faraway ..place, ' to bo trained in poultry farming.;, The farms should he near tho men's homes. • . . Mr' A. J. Clark© said tlmt things were gradually but sorely, .coming to a satisfactory bead. ■ . . , Mr Hobbs moved—“ That this board strongly dissents from th©. Government proposals to establish a;poultry training farm instead of. a poultry settlement on tlic . lines suggested by the board. We would ;poin.t put that .even if the men failed-te makegood the-Jaiul. and buildings would'remain as"av.geb<i asset for the expenditure; ''WpAngain, most strongly urge immediate pushing on with our Scheme.” . , The motion was seconded by Mr, P. Davidson and carried, * ■ lb was decided to recommend that tbe, Beadel farm at Riccarten,. purchased by th© Government, should be used as poultry farms.- . ! 'Mr Leadley said that the board should be represented on • the ' Lend Board ■ and'- the -Land ..Purchase Bonrd , in order that it could speed up tho settlement of rethhidd soldiers. ... Mr D. Jones said that- could not be provided . fop .withou b .legislation.;,, It was decided to communicate with th© Minister for Repatriation, stating t-hat tho board wag' greatly dissatisfiedi with the delays that occurred. Mr Dra,yteip said - that scores of estates were being bought and cut op and disposed of to private persons, while returned soldiers were waiting to go on to the land, and Canterbury was asleep. Mr Hewlett said that there were estates near Kaikoura- that could be properly worked, only in small am* ■ Mr Leadley said that the hoard should go into the question “ baldheaded- What, with it pushing and the Returned , Soldiers’ -Association pushing, somebody should be pushed out, even if it was the Minister for Lands. The chairman and, .Messrs Drayton, and M -Galium wer6 appointed to‘ Trait on all Ministers who pass through Christchurch, and bombard, them with questions until th© board’s wishes are met.