LAND FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3119, 25 June 1917, Page 7

LAND FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS

.:6 — • BUSH SETTLEMENTS DISCUSSED. With a view to obtaining first-hand knowledgo of tho land on which returned soldiers are to reside and- the conditions of settlement generally, Mr. A. P. Whatman, and Mr. J. I. Pox have made an inspection of returned soldiers' settlements in Palmorston North, Feilding, and Wanganui River districts. Mr. Whatman is one of the Fanners' Union representatives, and Mr. l ? ox is manager of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Club. These gentleman arrived in Tauma.runui last Wednesday, after an inspection of the Wanganui Hirer district, which comprises 40,000 acres. In this district the party Visited the settlements already mado and obtained first-hand information that will be of groat Yalrto at the conference to be held in Wellington on July 23. Mr. Whatman, remarked to a representative of tho Taumanmui Press that -what appealed to them most as they come up the Wanganui River was tho difforenco between the settlements made in open country and those in the backblocks. The Government had the idea that a man in tho back-blocks could fall 50 to 100 acres of bush and put in the remainder of his time in the year at road-making. Hβ was convinced that this could not bo done. In the first place ho asked: "How could a man fall 50 to 100 acres of bush when it was impossible* to pack into tho back country to his section?" Men for these bush settlements would havo to be men who loved the bush and know the work. In ordinary circumstances, and with access to their holdings, these men could fall bushfor about ten months of the year and allow two months for burning off. They were of opinion that thero would have to be throe distinct classes of returned soldiors' settlers, and every man should submit to a searching examination as to his knowledge and ability to work a farm. , The Government would also have to provide experimental farms to teach men whoso knowledgo of farming was limited. It was no use dumping a returned wounded man on a section in tho back-blocks and expecting him to make a. "do" of it. Such a man probably would havo to bo provided with u sheep farm in easy country. Speaking of tho advances offered U> tho soldier Ectllotl by tho Government. Mr. Whatman wns most emphatic when ho eoid that Ihcec advance!) worn quito inadequate. Tim Government oft'er of .£SOO was not sufficient. A man in the bank-blocks would require .£SOO tho first year unci at loiist another XSOO tho hccoikl yrar; ajso ii six-foot pack track to his bection. The result of giving these men an inadequate advance of i'soo was that many of Hicm wero already in the hands of tho money lenders, who wcro charging them 8 per rent, interest. It was u wrong policy to allow tho money lender to do work that Ihn Government nhoulil do. Tho party will visit tho len returned soldiore , holdings at They thrn proceed lo Mniton, Dannovirke, and Napier.