SOLDIERS AND THE LAND

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2843, 7 August 1916, Page 6

SOLDIERS AND THE LAND

ASSISTANCE FROM PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES. Sir,-th your paper of the 3rd instant, re soldiers on -the land and tho problem of advances, is reported a statement by Mr. Hope Gibbons, of Wanganui, who -said "The Wanganui Society had a case before them of a man who wishes to - go fruit-growing in Auckland. They did not even know whether ho know anything about fruit-growing:, , and they had hesitated about giving assistance to men who were beyond their reach and quite out of touch of' tho. committee." .Mr. .13. H. Williams, of Hawke's Bay, speaking to this question, said:— '!

"I''ruit-growing, which had been mentioned by llr. Hope Gibbons, was an expert business, and men had tc know all about blights and how- to deal with them, about the nature of the different trees and soils, before they could hope to make a do of it."

I chance, sir, to have'knowledge of this particular case, and I "ask you to publish tho facts.

" The applicant to the Wanganui Patriotic Society for assistance to purchase land near Auckland for f ruit'farming is a Mr.' . Before he made arrangements to secure a small block of land in question he mado caioful inquiry for a suitable section in or near Wanganui for fruit growing, but while he found several blocks of land available for purchase closo l fo Wanganui he learned that the essentials for success for fruit growing, particularly for overseas market, were lacking, and also that land was very dear. Those essentials are easy rail communication, and the advantage of beiieiit from a co-operative plan for working tho ground, and, the greatest of all, marketing the fruit. Sir therefore obtained details about the fruit lands in the Huapai Estate, 27 miles north of Auckland, and learnt that all the essentials were there for the successful conduct of orchard planting, working, spraying, picking, grading; and marketing; these being provided for by the vendors. Moreover, he found that he could at once obtain employment on the estate, and work at the .various jobs, such as (a) ploughing, (b) harrowiug, (c) planting shelter belts, (d) further preparation of soil for planting, , (e) planting fruit trees, (f) pruning, (g) spraying, (h) continued cultivation, spraying and pruning. When Mr. Hope Gibbons and his oocommitteemen, who . are administrating tho funds contributed by a laTge body of people, considered the application of ji r , did they take the trouble to ascertain the facts of the case?' Had they done so, I think the assistance asked for would have been granted,' for, after all, they \ are but guardians and administrators of a portion of the national fund set up by the people of this Dominion for assisting returned soldiers, particularly for assisting them for setting on to the land. ■ As to Mr. Williams's remarks, they appear ill-advised and ill-considered. Before he expressed such a view as "knowing all about blights, etc.," and expressing those views whioli he knew would be reported, printed and published, ■ he should have ascertained the facts of tho case lie ventured to comment upon. A man can learn if lie does not know what is necessary, and this man mil learn. To the best of my financial ability I subscribed to the Wanganui Patriotic Society Funds. I therefore do not sign ray name to this, but enclose my card, and-I hope the result of the publication of these facts will result in Mr. obtaining assistauce, as his case merits especially as he has come back maimed. What would any administrator of theso fund 3 have said had his own son gone to tho war and returned, after having been threo times wounded and minus two fingers, had his son's application been turned down under similar circumstances?

I cannot see that the narrow, parochial spirit, indicated by the fact that assistance is withheld because the applicant has found suitable land near Auckland instead of Wanganui, should enter into theicase at all. As to the value of the control that the committee can exercise. it is a very debatable question. When Mr. volunteered for service life did not ask whether ho was to be sent to a comfortable job at .Tronthain or to a distance of 10.0(H) miles, but simply volunteered to "do his bit," and did it and camo Kiel: maimed as beforementioned, and it is up to 11s to help liiin. —I am, etc., SUBSCRIBER. s Wanganui, August 5. rWe. have omitted from our correspondent's letter the name of tho returned soldier coiiccrned in the matter under discussion.]