SETTLING SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3109, 13 June 1917, Page 6

SETTLING SOLDIERS

MTi. CI. P. DONNELLY'S SCHEME. Tlio Minister of Internal AiViiirs (Hie Hon. G. W. Russell) has received the following communication from Mr. G. P. Donnelly, of Taradalo, Ifa-wke's Bay:— "Knowing the very deep interest you take in our returned soldiers, you will he pleased to hoar that I have now completed the purchaso of sheep for the fourteen boys whom I am assisting on Hie Kmwalca Settlement. Tim total paid for posts and wire, homos, pack Baddies, and 94fiO sheep is ,£12,600, which ie additional to further moneys I ha-ye paid for patriotic purposes, making a total of over -£15,000; £7000 of tho above amount will be loaned to fifteen soldiers settlers freo of interest for five years. I feel mire that the greater part of this money will be repaid within fivo years, and be available from lime to time for placing future returned soldiers on the land. The deed of trust appointing Messrs. A. B. Campbell, of Sainsbury, Lojan, and Williams, myself, and two other wellknown Hawke.'s Bay settlors as trustees will be completed, giving them control of tlie fund, and at tho end of ten years .£IO,OOO, including the promised by others as mentioned later, ie to be handed ovor to tho Y.M.C.A. and tho Salvation Army for the benefit of parents, widows, and families of Hawke's Bay soldiers. A well-known Hawke's Bay gentleman has agreed that ray scheme is tho only one likely to do permanent good for the returned soldiers, and stated that had he not already promised ,£SOOO to the Hawke's Bay Patriotic Fund he would join mo in the Scheme, but has left instructions to give. ,£2OOO as soon as the deed of trust is completed. Another well-known Hawko's Bay settler has promised me JGIOOO under similar conditions. 'J'his is carrying out, so far as I can do it, my scheme as advanced to the Government at the beginning of (he war, and I trust the Government will see their way to give it further consideration and if possible influence private patriotism and patriotic funds already collected in a similar direction or in any other suitable industrial direction. I am sure wealthy settlers would readily respond, and the Government could pass an Act to wlminister the funds as promised. T will post you a statement in full of moneys expended. "(Sgd.) G. P. DONNELLY. "Napier." In reply the Minister has sent the foli lowing message to Mr. Donnelly :— I "I am in receipt of yours of .Tune G. The information therein contained shows yon have worked out a most patriotic and practical method of assisting our returned soldiers by placing them on tho land under conditions of a most generous nature. I cm glad to know your scheme is meeting with the practical approval of other ffnwke's Bay residents. Doubtless the Minister of Lands will closely wateli the workinsr out of yonr methods. liNis also gratifying to note that after tlie men hnve 'made good' and aro able to return a portion fit least of the capital advanced to them, the refunded mouev is to bo put to such a good purpose. On behalf of the Government and the soldiers, T thank you for-the fine lead yon are giving in Bettling our returned men. ' "(Sgd.) G. W. TiTJSSELL, "Minister in Charge of War Funds."