SOLDIER SETTLEMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 270, 15 November 1945, Page 4

SOLDIER SETTLEMENT

PROBLEMS IN WANGANUI DISTRICT TWO COMMITTEES CONFER Problems associated with the settlement of returned servicemen on the land in the Wanganui distr.ct were rel erred to in a report before the Wanganui District Council of Primary Production at its monthly meeting yesterday. This report lollowed a conference between a small committee set up by the council and the Wanganui Farming Sub-Committee of the District Rehabilitation Committee. The latter had previously intimated that it was concerned about the large number pf graded applicants in the district anxious to take up farms. The Production Council’s Committee consisted of Messrs. T. E. Wilson, R. Campion, C. Smith and A. S. Coleman. Members o f the Rehabilitation Farming Committee are Messrs. W. Matthews, H. N. Shires and A. H. Featherstone.

Mr. Campion said at the conference that one of the chief difficulties in land settlement was the scarcity of materials for building and other farm requirements. For this reason he believed that it would be better to delay any large-scale attempt to settle returned men tili the position regarding these matters was easier.

In the Rangitikei district there were some farms which were not being properly maintained, said Mr. Coleman. He vied that it would be better to take - ese over for settlement, rather than to displace farmers already producing to the fullest extent.

One of the reasons why farmers were reluctant to put forward their farm was the fear of resulting action under Section 51 of the Settlement Act. He suggested that owners should have the right of valuation before definitely offering property under contract.

Mr. Wilson said he preferred the idea of cutting up large holdings to that of settlement of single units. The seed of co-operation should be sown by farmers canvassing in their own neighbourhods. Assurance was needed that there should be no ultimate danger of action being taken under the Settlement Act. Arrangements which could be made for a valuation to be given to prospective vendors without entering into a contract which would bring the land under the terms of the Act were explained by Mr. Shires. He pointed out that very little land of really good character was forthcoming in this district. Even in the case of the few returned servicemen who had been settled there were only a handful of what he would consider really desirable holdings. The chairman, Mr. Matthews, said that the list of graded applicants was growing with alarming rapidity and he thought that some steps would definitely have to be taken- in the near future to ease the situation. He pointed out that the fact of so many qualified farmers being forced to settle in other districts constituted a grave menace to the future prosperity of this city. ■ The report was received.