SOLDIER SETTLERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 202, 21 May 1919, Page 6

SOLDIER SETTLERS

GRIEVANCES PUT BEFORE MINISTER OF LANDS. By Telegraph—l'rcss Association. Dannevirke, May 20. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands, visited Takapau last evening and heard representatives of the Patriotic Society and soldier settlers relative to, grievances and to assistance required by those on the Otawhao, Watea, and Marakeke Settlements. Regarding Otawhao a water supply was the chief requirement, while in respect to Watea complaint was made that the sections were too small. They were entirely unsuitable for dairying, and not big enough for anything else. Requests were made for an increased Government grant up to .E7oo. for remission and reduction of vent, also for alteration in the tenure to givH soldiers the same facilities as civiliau settlers in selling out their goodwill. The 'Minister, in a sympathetic reply, promised to give all the requirements careful consideration, pointing out that the Government; was trying to give the men n, start, and was not aiming at making them full-fledged farmers at the outset. Ho promised to consider the question of increasing the size of the Watea sections, and to' give all the assistnuw possible (o {he men who were trying; to make an honest attempt to succeed. Hut he held out no hope of permitting anything in the nature of speculation or trafficking in soldier settlements.

SELECTION OF LAND FOB SETTLE- ~ MENT. By Telegraph --Press Association. Hamilton, May 20. . The Waikato. Returned Soldiers' AssiW ciation passed the following- motion:— "That prior to the Government purchasing land for subdivision for soldiers it obtain tlio approval of the Ectuuiietl Soldiers' Association, which will obtain outside expert advice as to whether tho land is suitable. It was'aleo resolved that an endeavour bo miulo at the conference to get tho Government to grant a retrospective inufti allowance. ■ ~ Whakatanc, May 20. The. Whakalano County Tloturned Soldiers' Association last night decided to semi a remit lo the annual conterence of tho Dominion Association next month' suggesting district boards for the wtU'ing of discharged soldiers on the land. The Government scheme was strongly criticised. The president, Mr. Ri Lloyd Lees, stated that thero were 300 returned soldiers in this pni't of the country, and that not one was settled on tho laud. ,

Anglo-Jewish soldier* are suggesting that they should bo allowed to stay in Palestine to "help in building up tto Jewish State."