LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3146, 26 July 1917, Page 8

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

FARMERS' VIEWS

MR. WHATMAN'S SCHEME

FAVOURED

The subject of providing land for soldiers was discussed by the Farmers' Union Conference yesterday.

Mr. A. P. Whatman (Maslerton) moved:—"That this Dominion Conference of the Farmers' Union recommends that the- Government should at once secure land, for returned soldiers, such land to.comprise land of first-class quality, suitable for such men as are unfit for backblock hardships, and that in order to supply such land compulsory acquisition at fair market values should be carried oflt and paid for in 4J per cent. Government debentures,' free of taxation, leaving the owner, ..if he so wishes, land of market value' of at least ■£35.000."

Mr. Whatman said that the Wellington Provincial Conference adopted the remit unanimously, and it had icccived other support. He considered this was the only solution of the problem, and the State could not make a better investment, The reference to first-class land in the motion was to dairying, pastoral and farm lauds, where cropping was carried on. He considered the sehemo ho suggested was the best means, of showing practical sympathy with tho returned soldiers. Arrangements should bo made right away so that holdings would be ready for soldiers as soon as they returned. It was hoped many would be ablo to tackle back country, but tliero was room to settle -"000 men on . the land between iMasterton aud Napier. The motion was seconded by 'Air. G. L. Marshall (Marton). He said that the scheme was quite reasonable. Mr. W. A. Cox (Southland) supported the motion. Ho said the trouble in the south just now was to get ivon to work tho farms that had bean left by incn who had gone lo the front. He thought these farms might be temporarily looked after, 'and ultimately taken over if the owners did not return. Mr. W. S. D. Trotter (Hawke's Bay) thought the value of land to be left: to holders should be- ,£20,000, instead of the .£35,000 proposed. ' The president (Sir James Wileon) said care would have to bo taken to avoid the taking over of land that was unHo doubted tho wisdom of placing inexperienced men on land that had to be cropped. However, he thought tho conference might -well adopt tho 'motion. Mr. G. Sheat (Dunsandel) said the best men to place on selections wore thoso with previous experience of farming. The authorities must beware lest landowners tried to unload expensive blocks on to the State. Mr. Whatman's motion was carried unanimously. Mr. P. Keegan (Taneatua) moved:— "That in order to prevent speculation in soldiers' farms, tho Government "Be recommended in the cas.e of farmers called up for military service and unable to niake management provision, and where the land is suitable for returned soldiers, to buy their farms at valua-tion,-tho money realised to be paid in War Loan debentures, the seller to retain the option of redeeming his if unsold, at the end of tho war." Mr. Keegan said' that if something like this was not done a great injustice would be done to men who had gone away. He believed it was a fact that a lot of farmers were coming hero from Australia in tho hope of getting cheap land when our men were called i:p. Those men would get cheap land ur.less .tho Government stepped in. Mr. J. Fulton (Plorus) seconded. Mr. A. P.. Whatman (Mnstcrton) said he thought the National .Efficiency Board would get over the difficjjiy. It seemed a' gfeat sin that farms should have to be sold .Jpccauso no one could be'got to look-after them. However, the National EfHciepcy . Board was prepared to look after these farms. It would be merely robbing Peter-to r)ay Paul lo buy laud from a, man going away lo sell it to a man who had returned. Mr. J. Boddie (To Kuiti) said that men had gone from the King Country, and so far nothing had-.fceen done to prevent their holdings from going right, back to their'unimproved state.. Mr. E. Maxwell (Opunake) said tho position was grave, and must bo faced boldly. The authorities should have taken steps beforo this to conserve the producing capacity of the farms. Farms should bo left with at least a minimum of able-bodied labour. v After further.disqussiou. Mr. Keegan withdrew tho motion in the hope that "something better would bo evolved." On tho motion by Pelprus, tho conference resolved: —"That this union is of opinion that it be a strong recommendation to the Minister of Lands that before completing the purchase of any lands, cither for returned soldiers or lands for settlement, that tho local land board, iu whose-district such purchase is couteiuplatedNbe, referred to for their opinion." \ . The following Nelsop remit wa3 carried:—"That steps should be faken by the Government' to note all farms, tho owners of which have Inst their lives in the service of tho Empire, and -whoso heirs cannot be found, and that returned soldiers 'should be given the opportunity of acquiring them without going through the hands of the speculator." Southland brought forward tho following, and it was agreed to:—"That this meeting considers it the duty of tho Government, to take over .balloted soldiers' farms, if the. owner so desires, at pre-war prices, and if the Government cannot see its way to lake over tlw. farms of soldiers called up ,for active service' at pre-war prices, at least current rate of interest be allowed to theseowners." '