LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2950, 9 December 1916, Page 8

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

The very full statemont, supplied yesterday by the Acting-Pkime Minister,; of tho steps taken to enable returned soldiers to settle oil the' land affords ground for hope that this important war . obligation to those who have come forward to serve their country will be adequately met. The figures showing 'the amount of settlement that has already-gone on under'the scheme, and the quantity _ of land made available for soldiers' farms, indicate that the Government is bestirring itself to meet the needs of the occasion. The area so far allotted is over 70,000 acres, taken up by 198 men, but satisfactory as this may be it is really tho least important feature of Mn. Allen's interesting statement.- Tho point of most importance is the preparation that is being made to meet future requirements. . .At the present time the demaud for land-on -the part of the returned men is comparatively small, and more land has been set aside And proclaimed for their uso than has been applied for. But as the months pass and the numbers of the , returned men increase the demand will be greater, and at the close of the war it must be expected that thoro will be something in tho nature of a rush for sections. Tho Government must prepare in advance for that time, and it is plain from the' Ministerial announcement that this is being done. It is preferable that the Lands Department should push forward now with its task of adding to the- area to be made availablo for settlement by soldier's, even though such land

should-remain idle for a time, rather than to have a shortage at the closo of the war when the big demand may bd looked for. The quicker tbo'so who desire it arc cnaftiod to get on the land after their return to the Dominion the better it will bo for tine country anil for the men themselves.