SOLDIERS' FARMS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3177, 30 August 1917, Page 8

SOLDIERS' FARMS

A DIFFICULT PEOBLEJJ.

ne Mro oJ farms of soldiers absent on «"" * e " M «> is a matter of serious nonvX, ♦ r CoUn ' rj '- '" ">o House of lJeiwsentutives Mr. Okey asked tho -Mmiftcr of Lands, Whetlicv his attention had been drawn to tho.number of farms nut. have been left by young men on leaviji" for the front, and tho way many ot liiosß farms were going kick into their original state for want of proper stocking; and. whether, so as to J.olp to keep the farms in order for these men, lie would consiaorTTie advisability of tho different Commissioners of Grown Lands obtaining the services of several persons connected with the farming of this class of land, with a view of the Government stocking these farms mid farming them under experience:! managers? ■ Mr. llnssey (.Minister of Lands) replied: It is not always practicable to undertako the ' management and stocking of the farms in question. There, is. however, nothiiig'to prevent the owners of such" farms letting (lie grazing lo their neighbours, thus providing for tho.upkeep of the farm. In most instances, Crown tenants who have, joined the Expeditionary Forces have done -so, - and also in many cases in addition the Government haa i remitted payment of rent during their'absence from New Zealand.