SOLDIER FARMERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2804, 23 June 1916, Page 6

SOLDIER FARMERS

FINANCIAL ADVANCES

A DEBATABLE QUESTION

Putting returned soldiers on the land is one of tho propositions that has met with general approval. That thore may be another anglo from which to view this matter was mado apparent at yesterday's meeting of the Advisory Board of the Patriotic Societies. The subject was raised in tho following loiter forwarded by tho Ha'wke's Bay Patriotic Association :—

"This association has received liunie rous applications from discharged soldiers, who secured sections in Hawke's Bay at the recent ballot, for a£3istanco by way of loan to enable them to commence improvements and the purchase of stock. In the'-majority of cases they have no capital, and tho Government's ■advance is made only at tho rate of 75 per cent, on the improvements made. In some cases men who enlisted in other parts of New Zealand have secured sections in Hawke's Bay and have applied to this association for assistance on the ground that they are now settlers in Hawke's Bay; and their applications have been recommended by various patriotic societies throughout the province. Tho question of advances to assist discharged 6oldiers who have acquired land is likely to assume very large proportions in tho future, and 1 lave been instructed to refer the subject to the Advisory Board for consideration, with, a \ view of relief associations throughout New, Zealand adopting a uniform method of "assisting, and.my committee will be glad to receive advice from your board on this subject.'-

In referring to tho broad question, tho chairman (Hon. J. T. Paul) said it was Hie biggest and most important question the board had to deal with. As the Gov. eminent was now amending the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act he did not know that they could do much until they saw what the. Government intended to do. He suggested that a subcommittee should be set up to keep in touch with what was done.

Mr. V. Lamer said that the Auckland society should set its face against going into the loan business. The societies would find: that there would never bo any lack of applications—they would be so numerous that they would find that they hid no money to carry out the primary objects of the fund. As far as advances on land, that was'a matter for the Government to tackle themselves. They (in Auckland) had received lots of applications to pay the.first six mouths' rent, and they were at first inclined to pay it, but now the Government had postponed the payment of that first six months' rent for three years. The Auckland society had started lending soldiers the first six months' rent, but the appli. cations had. frightened them, and in tho finish. they turned them down.

Mr. Geo. Elliott said that from an ordinary business standpoint' it was a .frightful 'risk. The Government takes the first mortgage—the societies would have to take the second. .

Mr. J. J. Dougall said it was not a business proposition. Mr. Hopo-Gibbons (Wanganui) was more optimistic. He said that his society, and he himself, had assisted many men, and he did not view it as a, risk at all. Huch depended on whether those in the neighbourhood were prepared N to lend a helping hand. Ec did not think that they should, 1 * view this matter alto< gether t'rora a strict business point of view. These men had "done their bit, - ' and it was for them to.hold out the help, ing hand. He would regret very uiuuh if tho board disapproved of the action of societies in advancing, moneys to soldier settlers. ■ . . llr. V. Larner (Auckland) said' he was quite satisfied that they would not have too much money for the wounded without issuing loaus. If they loaned money on land, why not on any other business? In regard to the Hawke's Bay Association's letter it was decided, on tho motion of Sir. Elliott, that in the event of a loan being raised by a soldier settler on land that the society in the district from which he camo shall not bo held responsible for the repayment vi the loan. , : On tho question of improving the terms on' which returned soldiers could bo placed on the land, the chairman (Hon, J. T. PaulJ, vice-chairman (Mr. Tripp), and Mr. Hope-Gibbons were appointed a deputation to wait upon the Prime Minister . '