LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3152, 2 August 1917, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

LAND SETTLEMENT FOR THE RETURNED

Soldier

Sir,—The above is rightly engaging the attention of numerous of the Dominion citizens wnd comupondiiigly the duo consideration of Cabinet and Parliament. To date the position is, 1 would be pleased to receive correction if I am ill error, that a small proportion, say no more than five per cent., of the lands which could he made available have been put aside fur this purpose, and a certain portion balloted ior and duly settled upon. The actual monetary, assistance (to provide for live stock, elc.) tendered by the Government would, perhaps in Uie case of an experienced tanner, set him on the road to success provided ho bo prepared to "put his noso to the grindstone" for a few years; probably the bulk of our returned men wliose lite has not altogether been "beer, and skittles" during their recent absences from these shores would be prepared to further rough it for these few years provided the "goal" was within their sight. The point which appears to have been overlooked, however, is that perhaps the large majority of those whom the question affects, albeit that we as a Dominion are engaged largely in apculturiii and pastoral pursuits, have beyond an occasional visit to their fanner friends, never had any experience which p would stand them in stead in me pur- . suing of operations on their own account. 1 ■is the struggle in Europe drews on | from day to day it will of necessity render the inclination of those who formerly followed in-door work to return 10 their pre-war environment more rnuote. l'his when the time comes for them to return to these shores. . Granted that Parliament, before tlio current sitting in concluded, w.U hx upon a sound scheme to provide the r.«essary areas, what will be the position of the man to. whom in-door labour holds no further inducement but who, on the other hand, is "greon" in his Knowledge of the way of the plough? Is he, through loss of the former inclination, to be thrown on his own devices or is he to oe again developed into a useful citizenLet those who are prepared to take their chances with the present method of land ballot proceed in an uninterrupted manner, but at the frame time let blocks of, say, tip to 5000 acres be put aside 'to be operated upon as one block bv, sav, a group of 50 men, making 101) acres per man. At it'he same time let those who are desirous of being numbered therein take their chance o. inclusion per medium of ballot. On tne total area place two or more overseers and let operations include all branches of farming as is known in these parts. Then split the main group into sections of four or live men, thereby creating competition to ensure tho property bc-ipg worked to its full capacity; f™ «?=« man to draw sufficient funds to provide for his wherewithal and pool the pronb... from time to time, same to be drawn proportionately by tho sections when at the end of, say four or five years, the men will have reached that stage ot proficiency which will r „ the " , . to left to their own devices. By this t,me the pronerty (provided, of coarse, virgin land is'not put aside for the purpose), and perhaps live stock and implements, would have paid for themselves. In any case it would appear that the Government would receive repayment ot their advances (monetary and property) at an earlier date than under the existing circumstances, whilst citizens who would perchance have drifted away,from these shores, or perhaps into undesirable cnannels, would help to further build up the trndo of our Dominion. ' Having outlined my proposal, to which, Mr Editor, allow me to thank you for lending your ear, I leave same to heads which aro older and wiser than mine. Again thanking you for your indulgence, -I am, etc., BBIIV EN. Day's Bay (Wellington). July 31, 1917.