A WAR PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2834, 27 July 1916, Page 6

A WAR PROBLEM

RETURNING SOLDIERS

HOW TO PLACE THEM ON THE LAND

AND HOW MANY '

An interesting discussion around tho general question of settling the returning soldiers on tho land occurred at yesterday's sitting of the Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. Mr. A. Fraser (Otago) moved'—"That the Government take into consideration . the desirableness of establishing a training- farm where returned soldiers can be taught the rudiments of fanning before being placed on Government sections, and that the Government be-urged to establish experimental farms." ' Mr. Fraser's idea was that tho high schools should he furnished with ten or twenty acres of land, on which plots returned soldiers with a notion of taking up farming could bo given some practical training. Mr. James Begg , (Otago) thought the most feasible proposal was to train men on somo training farm, but he did not wish toseo any more experimental fami3 established until those now in existence were run on proper lines. Tie thought an'cxaggerated idea was prevalent of the number .of retnrucd soldiers who would want to go on the laud. ./Mr. G. W. leadley (Ashburton): Not 30 per cent. 60 far.

The president (Sir James Wilson) said that a number of people had thought over the matter, and among those was the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. Gunson), who had drafted a scheme. Tho scheme was Tead, and it entailed the purchasing of 75,000 acres of land.

Will Many Desire Farming? - .Mr. J. M'Queen (Southland) considered the problem one for practical' men, and not one for-theorists. It was not likely that all the men who canm back would want to go on the land, the most reason's'' able assumption was that they . would return to their former avocations. There : .. were returned soldiers in New Zealand having a good time at soldiers' clubs. Would they give up their pleasures, for I : life in,tho country? Men who returned 1 should be looked after, and not demoralised, and that was what- wd wore doing. '"'The'men who genuinely desired to be- ■ ' '■■ come iarmers would be. prepared, to work on farms to gain their experience. The question was so difficult that it warranted a Royal Com mission. Mr; R. Dunn (Taranaki) was of the opinion, that there would be very few applications, except-from'men, of previous experience on farms. -.-'.- / Mr. W. A. Cox (Southland) held that it was the duty of the conference to give the Government some advice on the question if they could. Anyone who read the accounts of what done by our men at the front could not but be proud of them and desirous of helping them when they' returned. War's Unsettling Influence. Mr. I'. Keegan (Auckland) felt sure that all,the farmers would be willing to employ -returned soldiers. Ho was confident that tho Government would provide tho land and tho money to enable the men to establish themselves on-farms. -' , Many returned men would desiro a change .~ ■ of occupation, and it was tho duty of tho conferenco to encourage them to go on the land. -The farmers 6hould i be prepared to make a concession for re. ".-' turned soldiers if they were not quito ■ suited to farming work at first.. Mr. J. Boddie (TeKuiti) said tho prob- ■•■ Jem was beset wth great difficulties, and , ho did not think Mr. Gunson'6 scheme ;' was called for at present. Ho applaud- "• cd Mr. M'Que'en's "straightforward •':'_■ speech," and said that many of the men who returned would not be the same' men ' as w-hen they went away. Ho had tho example of the South African war before him, and lie knew that that war unsettled thousands of men. '. Delegates: Quito true. Mr. Boddio said ho was chary about -;." the conference's giving a lead, but they might sound a warning. Mr. D. Jones (North Canterbury) moved thoNfollowing amendment: "That ~ the Governmont take into consideration the desirability of making provision on the experimental farms to teach returned soldiers tho rudiments of fanning, so that they may be able to obtain omployment fronr farmers, and so complete their .--.■. experience." '/. This was seconded.'by Mr. G! Anderson (Pelorus). • ~•..-• Mr. A.. A. Ross (Auckland)'considered . there was much misconception as to the number of men who would wish to go .: farming when they came back from the -war. He was one of those who thought- .:., the most successful farmer was the man w ; ho gained bis experience working on a farm. The thing which struck him about Mr. Gunson's scheme was the size of it, and he was against a largo schema because it would fruitlessly commit the country to very great expense. Might Argue All Day. Mr. H. D. Vavasour (Marlborough) said the problem was so difficult that the conference cduld arguo all day without solving it. - '- ■'. Mr. T. Moss (Eketahuna) thought Mr. Gunson should bo thanked for his effort .to do something. After traversing some of the difficulties, he said that the eon. ferenco should sympathise with the do- , sire to help the men and should offer to assist the Government. Ho suggested that Mr. Jones should add to his motion - the words: "And that this conference of farmers pledge themselves and. their ... organisations to assist and advise Te- ., turned soldiers who may decide to take ... up farming pursuits." ... Mr. Jones agreed.to make the addition. '. "There was once a meeting," said Mt. . ..-. G. Sheat (Dunsandel) "which sympathis- ; od very inuch with a widow who was in '~., very poor circumstances. At length one ~' old Quaker arose 'I sympathise £i,' he said." Mr. Jones: How much do you sympathise? - Mr. Sheat: I sympathise to the extent -• that I am prepared to take one of those '- returned • soldiers and teach him farni- ■ ' Do- ■' Delegates: Hear, hear. That is prac- .. tical! Mr. Sheat said ho did not propose to V pay tho man full wages -right away, but v. if every farmer would take'one soldier i that would; be a- practical help. Here Mr. Frascr was allowed to with- ; draw his motion iu favour of Mr. Jones's amendment. Mr. R. Evans (North Canterbury) mov- -., ed to have the subject referred to a committee of live, who would report to tho conference. Men Seeking Fruit Farms. Mr. A. Garland .(South Canterbury) said Ihe conferenco was not yet sufficiently informed of-tho requirements of the returning soldier to justify its dealing with the question.. The Minister of .Lands should bo congratulated' on what 'ho had done, and time would show whether tho conference-could assist in the I .matter. It was not, he thought, the in- ' tcntion ■of the Act", that inexperienced men should bo put on the land; ho , thought tho land boards had the power of selection of applicants. Had tlio confer, enco thought of what was happening in - regard to the farm labourers? Many of those men would return, but not to go back and work for farmers; they would go on to farms of their, own. So the farmers would have to turn to the towns and to immigration for the supply of labour, whether thoy liked it or not. , The president said everyone seemed to bo thinking of their own particular kind of farming, and had overlooked fruitfarming schemes, which would be a fine ■ thing for many men who would return somewhat maimed. • Mr. J. Bell (Westland) .said there were • already many applications for Nelson ■ fruit land which was being cut up, and .he was sure the men would get all tho help and advice they needed. The result of the discussion was that .the conference agreed to adopt the.following molioj':— "This conference' has seen with satisfaction the steps the Govern- . ment is taking towards providing land for returned soldiers, and sug- ,. gosts the desirableness of making provision at the experimental farms for teaching returned soldiers tho rudi-

meats of farming so that they may lie able to tako omployraeut witli farmers, aud complete their experience, and that this conference of v fanners pledge themselves and their organisations to assist and advjso returned soidiers who may des'iro to take up farming pursuits."