LAND FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3105, 8 June 1917, Page 4

LAND FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS

If thero is one thing clearer than any other that'has been brought to light concerning ■ tho question of settling returned soldiors on the land it is the great diversity of opinion which exists as to what is required' to meet the needs of tho situation. All appear to bo agreed that tho soldiers should be treated liberally arid afforded every assistance, and there is practically the same unanimity as to the benefits which must accruc to tho country from adding to tho number of farm holdings in tho Dominion and thereby increasing production.- But the best means of placing tho soldiers on the land sq that they will have a reasonable charico of making a success of the venture has become a much debated question, with, up to the present, little sign of a satisfactory scheme that will cover all classes, of settlement being devised. The representatives of the patriotic societies who discussed the matter yesterday stated somo of tho difficulties which had come under the notice of their various societies, and the ventilation of these and tho suggestions for improvement put forward will make a useful addition to the Information available <?n the subject. It grows increasingly , clear, howover, that tho Government will do well to call to its assistance somo Body of practical men competent to adviso it as to the best course to be pursuod under given conditions. The Efficiency Board has developed a farreaching organisation) and has associated with it throughout the Dominion men of practical farming experience whoso services should provo of great value in deciding as to tho suitableness of land proposed to to utilised for soldiers' farms and as to the conditions under which such land could bo taken up and worked successfully'. Possibly the .Government might bo able to secure the assistance of these trustees. But the matter should be put on a proper footing. (AVhen ho returns to New Zealand the Prime Minister presumably will resumo control of the Lands Department, and the responsibility will then fall largely, intp his hands. As a practical farmor and one possessed of a very wide knowledge of land settlement, ho may be cxpected to recognise the necessity for a more comprehensive scheme and one that will cover more fully, and perhaps more liberally, tho varying needs arising out of tho diverse conditions in different psyta of New Zealand.