LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3101, 4 June 1917, Page 8

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Sir,—l notice in your comments on tho remit from Masterton submitted to tho Marton Conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, in reference to'settling returned soldiers on ' the land, that, while approving the suggestion in principle, you take exception to the details of the scheme. In the first place you are in error in stating that the proposal is to place- all soldiers on improved farm lands. It is recognised that fit men should be given every encouragement to talce up backblock sections, of which a large area of Crown land is available, but for those who aro not fitted for this arduous task a. sufficient area of improved laud should be made available, and it "ivas with the latter .object in view that the remit from the Masterton branch was sent forward. There is plenty of improved land in the country which is not liigh priced, arid which would yield a substantial income if cut up into suitable areas. It is assumed that this land will not conio into the control.of the Government voluntarily, lionce the.siiggestion to take it over under a compulsory Act. Tho question of payment is one which admits of a great divergence of opinion, but I cannot agree with you that tho interest suggested—d-J per cent, free of'income tax—is an unfair rate. When you como to consider the sacrifices made by the men who have gone and are going to fight in defence of the Empire, demanding in thousands of cases tho supreme sacrifice, or permanent disablement, it is surolv not too much to ask tho holders of valuable estates to accept ,the same rate of interest as the Government havo offered in their last War Loan. Tho unanimous vote of the delegates at the Maxton Conference in favour of this resolution is sufficient answer to your query as to Hie acceptance by the farmers present of the terms suggested.— 1 am ' et °" A. P: WHATMAN. Masterton, June 1, 1917.