ADMIRABLE SPIRIT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 600, 2 November 1932, Page 4

ADMIRABLE SPIRIT.

Soldier Settlement Work Reviewed. DEPARTMENT’S REPORT. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, November 1. The difficult times that are being experienced by soldier settlers are reflected in the annual report on discharged soldiers’ settlements, which was presented to Parliament to-day. The statements of receipts show that the amounts received annually on account of capital and revenue accounts have progressively decreased from a grand total of £1,963,653 in 1928-29 to £1,195,832 for 1931-32. During the year, 817 loans were authorised, involving a total amount of £137,183. The total capital invested is now £17,244,237, while reductions in capital amounting to £2,871,159 have been made. In the seventeen years during which the system has been operating, 15,123 applications have been made for land for settlement, and 4065 allotments made, involving 1,428,557 acres. Commenting on the position, the Under-Secretary for Lands, Mr W. Robertson, states that the accounts reflect the troublous times the Dominion has been passing through, and a great part of the administration had centred round problems connected with keeping settlers on their farms. The amounts outstanding on sundry debtors and postponement accounts had increased, having increased from £447,271 at March 31, 1931, to £661,651 at March 31, 1932. Cash receipts for the year had also fallen by £158,246 when compared with those of the previous year. “In Admirable Spirit.” Reports from the various land districts showed that soldier settlers were meeting the difficulties of the times with an admirable spirit. The Department held the view that soldier settlement was still a long way removed from the stage where the role ] to be played by the controlling 1

authority became principally that of collector of rent and interest. It would seem that the State’s obligation to many of these men and their families had not been met by placing them on the land and carrying them to the present point. Sympathetic guidance and control would be needed for a good many years yet if the work vras to be completed in a fitting manner. The Department had gained an intimate knowledge of the special problems of soldier settlers through long and close association with their affairs, and was endeavouring to use that knowledge in the best interests of the settlers and the State. Considerable difficulties were still jeing experienced in dealing with

soldier current accounts, continues the report. There was a considerable difference between the operation of current accounts by‘a firm which was fundamentally interested in trading in stock and produce and those dealt with by the Department on behalf of discharged soldiers. The Department’s work had not been done with the idea of profit, but to establish men in homes on the land. Advances had been made in most cases withopt any great margin of security. Many of the accounts were not yet too sound, and many others covered one-man farms where there was, in ordinary times, little more than a bare living, so that a constant and close watch over them and the farming methods adopted was necessary.