LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2604, 28 October 1915, Page 6

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

BUDGET OF SUGGESTIONS

MR. G. P. DONNELLY'S

SCHEME

GENEROUS OFFERS

Tho outline of a scheme for tlie settlement of returned wounded soldiers on land was recently submitted to tlio Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward jointly by Mr. G. P. Donnelly, of Haivlce's Bay. As appears from the following summary of Mr. • Donnelly's letter, he supports his proposal with promise of substantial donations in cash mid kind. • The present Land for Settlemeut Act, Mr. Donnelly suggests, should be so amended as to allow of the creation of a Military Board, consisting of the Minister of Lands, thelCrown Land Commissioners, and five or six independent landed proprietors. One district might extend from the Tauranga, Rotorua, and Taupo districts'to tlio Manawatu Stream, thus including large areas at tlio present time lying practically idle and unproductive. Mr. Donnelly suggests the names of farmers who might servo on. tho board. Tho first step should be tlie establishment of a military depot, and for this purpose some private land might be purchased and worked in conjunction with several large blocks of Crown land in the Pctano district. The board would collect funds and gifts of sheep, cattle, and horses, and would arrange to have farms ready stocked and fit for occupation by the men returning from the front. The soldiers would have tho . opportunity then to become prosperous settlers. Their efforts would increase the resources of the Dominion, and hasten its development, and eventually would relieve the general community of a heavy burden of taxation. There seemed to be no reason why men who had suffered partial, disablement should not be found useful and profitable work on the land , under wholesome conditions. The Imperial Government had settled soldiers on the land in the Auckland district after tho Jlaori wars, and the system had been highly successful, A similar work was most successfully carried out by the Hon. J. D. Ormond when. Superintendent of Hawke's Bay. All the bush'.lying between Takapau and Woodvilie was cleared by -the settlers,'and they not only cleared their own lands, fenced them,- and grassed them, but also made their own roads and assisted in building the railways. He thought he was safe in saying that in both islands a sum of a quarter of a million would be subscribed for the returned wounded soldiers, and he also felt certain that every farmer, runholder, merchant, and storekeeper would help by giving something to- go_ towards stocking, grassing, and fencing farms, thus saving the Government from the necessity of imposing taxation. If his proposal were carried out he would be prepared to give £1000 cash and 1000 two and four : tooth ewes (when- required), 15 rams, 50 two-year-old heifers,. 1 Shorthorn or Polled Angus bull, 1 thoroughbred stallion, 5 mares, 1 boar, 2 sows, 5 turkeys, 1 gobbler. 10 purebred fowls, 1 rooster, 1 sheep dog, and about £50 worth of station stores.

In order to carry out this scheme it would-be necessary to have good storago room arranged for in all the principal centres of both islands, in charge of an officer and staff, to receive all goods, and the military camp 'depots to liavo a similar staff to receive all stock when required. Ho would suggest that the area of land given to each individual should be in accordance with his rank, viz.':

Privates.—Area when fenced and grassed to carry 1000 breeding ewes. Non-coms. —Area when fenced and grassed to carry 1200 breeding ewes. Sub-Lieutenants.—-Area when fenced and grassed to carry 1400 breeding ewes. Captains.—Area -when fenced and grassed to carry 1500 breeding ewes.' Colonels.—Area when fenced and grassed to carry 1700 breeding ewes. Generals. —Area when fenced and grassed te carry 2000 breeding ewes. The majority of the land wonld be second and thinl-class. He, would also recommend that the ballot be done away with and every section drawn for to ensure every man getting a bloclc.