LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12748, 18 September 1919, Page 8

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

INCREASED PRODUCTION. (Psa Passs Association.] WELLINGTON. September 18. A deputation from the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association waited on the Farmers’ Union Conference today, for the purpose of discussing the question of settling soldiers on the land. Mr Seymour, general secretary of the association, said the present machinery was too slow and was not working well. It was quite inadequate now, when so many returned soldiers could not be provided with land. The Government’s reply that it had plenty of laud was not? true. There was a > suspicion that the Government wanted to unload some unsuitable land upon the sold'ers before it acquired any more- The association was gratified to see that the Farmers’ Union favoured the appointment of committees of advice and committees of farmers, prepared to render all assistance possible to returned men. „ Colonel G. S. Mitchell, organiser of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association, said the association felt there was some danger in placing soldiers on high priced fully developed land. He outlined the association’s scheme for settling soldiers on largo blocks of undeveloped land, and asserted that increased production was the key of the situation, as far as New Zealand was concerned. t Mr James (North Canterbury) moved, “ That this conference is in full sympathy with the returned soldiers in their desire to get on the land, and is prepared to actively assist their association in its efforts to -secure undeveloped land.” Mr H. Joll (Hawke’s* Bay) seconded the motion, which, was carried unani-, mously. Three .cheers were given for the returned soldiers.