FOR EX-SERVICE MEN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 190, 7 May 1919, Page 2

FOR EX-SERVICE MEN

LORD KITCHENER'S LAND SETTLEMENT

HOPES IN EAST AFRICA

Shortly after *the armistice was signed Earl Kitchener wrote to the "Morning .Post" giving 6OIDO details of a schernc he had originated for tho settlement on land in British East Africa of officers and men of tho services who would be demobilised. To thaj; letter, came thousands of .replies, and it small coinmitroc was formed to deal with the whole matter.. Earl Kitchener had staled cci'lain views. which, put shortly, wore that a tinglo man who goes out to East Africa determined to work 'hard and livo hard, who does not drink or indulge in other luxuries, should "make good" in ten; years with a capital of .£SOO. • Government Help Essential, The son-in-law of Lord Kitchener and son of the late Mr. Arthur a Beckett, whp was 60 long associated with "Punch," Major a Beckett, is himself going out to East .Africa,, and nearly , all the other members'of the committee are to follow. Earl Kitchener, who has alroadv gone,is, liko his famous brother, a 'soldier of a determined kind. He proceeded to Khartoum,, the city for ever associated with the name of his family, and though over seventy years of age, ho matched from there to East Africa, where he has now arrived. The placo he has selected for Jus proposed Sailors and Soldiers' Settlement is round and about Mount , "SP» w hich hag many advantages, including an excellent ciimate. * Major Beckett explained that the carrying out of the scheme depends upon one- or- two- important conditions. In 1 the first.place,"it.is..necessary that free Brants of lapd from the Government should bo made if the thing is to bo a success. General Sir Edward Northey, the-new Governor of the colony, is interested in the idea, and has promised to give it the fullest, consideration on the spot, but it is obvious that unless free in 18 ® !)taine<l the whole affair will fall-to the ground." Lord Kitchener nxed the amount of capital required at but many of-those who know the country and have interests there believe this to be an optimistic estimate, and that-more capital will lie needed. Jlost of-them, 'however, confess that they started in Bast Africa- with less money than the sum named, and are now considerable landowners. M'hat they, of course, have in mind is a body of settlers who would lmve to expend money ( in the purchase of whatever acreage they desired to talco up, while Lord Kitchener's proposal onlv concerned a free settlement. Major a Beckett, feels with' tho committee that it would be premature for the committee to make a, definite statement as to the capital they consider necessary until the Government has laid down its policv with regard to the grant of land. Enthusiastic Support. That the 6cheme is being enthusiastically supported by ex-Service men of all ranks is proved by the fact that among 140 nien selected as likely to. make good settlers the total capital amounts to .£150,000. Information has been 60ught by many- others who had much more than ; JCSOO at their disposal, but tho committee' have pointed out to them that they are in tho fortuuato position of being able to take up more ambitious schemes. An essential condition is that the ■ would-be settlers Bhotild bo young and' in good health. Tho foundation, as Lord Kitchener stated in his letter to the "Morning Post," 'is that officers and men obtaining land in tlio colony should help each otner and themselves to obtain a reasonably comfortable living with prospects under as pleasant conditions as possible. Co-operation with regard to'machinery, stores, transport, arid other things is necessary. A list of names of "probable starters," as Major a Beckett puts it, giving full details of each applicant, has been sent out to Earl Kitchener. As already stated, the committee have been overwhelmed with inquiries, . and Lad.y 'Norah a -Beckett has given up her timo t to answering, them. She, however; will go out with her husband to East Africa,-' and the following details will therefore be of .'service to others—and there are 'many thousands of officers to whom the scheme is appealing, but- who cannot now be answered by post—who wish to go to the colony. Conditions of Life and Work, 'The'climate'is suitable for white men and women, but women with children sho'ftld not be taken out, and married men will probablv require _ doubto the capital. The land is virgin soil, but can easily be cleared,' It is hoped to obtain a thousand acres, at least, for I each" settler, and it is understood that native labour is obtainable, and at present is cheap. Flax will be a'profitable I crop, and the machinery for dealing with it will be handled on co-operative lines. ' There are good local markets for foodstuffs, and on these--a- return may be exnected in eighteen months. It is hoped the social conditions will develop on pleasing lines much sooner than is the case in most new Settlements, and here it may. be added that the would-be settlers whoso names have gone forward, include all Tanks, from brigadiers to privates, the latter, of course, being men, who had some position at home. . . An. immediate knowledge of farming is not-essential. Flax-growing can.bo studied, in this country, -but general farming is .better learned on the snot. Lord Kitchener has promised facilities for a certain number to do so if tliey apply to him nersonally on arrive at Mombasa. It will bo necessary to live in grass huts for the first two years until a man can afford to build his house,