REPATRIATION AND SETTLEMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 240, 4 July 1919, Page 7

REPATRIATION AND SETTLEMENT

MR. MASSEY REVIEWS THE PROBLEMS DIFFICULTIES WILL DISAPPEAR By Telesra-Dh—Press Aesociation-OopyrielH London, July 2. Official: In the course of his article in the Empire number of lha "Financier and Bullionist," the Hon. W. ]?. Maesey (Jfrinie Minister of New Zealand), refers to the question of repatriation. This, ho 6aid, was the principal lousiness in hand now. It .would be less difficult than many people imagined it would be, because the great majority of the men have homes or businesses to return to, whfi'e employment awaits most of those who require it. It must be said, with satisfaction, that our men are settling down with credit to themselves and the Dominion. The Government is finding suitable land for the eettleinent of returned soldiers with agricultural experience who dearre to secure holdings and win success on the soil of the country which rewards industry. Encouragement is freely given those likely to be successful settlers. To encourage men who, for luck of experience and other Teasons, are unlikely to succeed would mean misery end failure for them, and certain loss to "he State. Great care, therefore, is 'being exercised as regards the selection. Ihe latest official returns show that 1200 returned soldiers have been placed on the toil, and a large percentage of these are practically certain to do well. : . I New Zealand,' like other countries, is suffering from a scarcity cf dwellinghouses, owing to the arrest of Construction during the war perio-1, but earnest efforts are to be made to meet the difficulty, and ho is confident that the Government, local bodies, and private individuals will co-operate actively in supplying the demand which evidently exists with common acutoness 'hroughout all the Allied countries. It necessarily must take some time, however, and will, impose still a little more strain upon the patience of patriotic people before we til can return to the even gait of normal activity. It is the policy of the New Zealand Government to provide the citizens with comfortable homes, with the opportunity of making them their own. The prospects in New Zealand after the war are well founded on. past results, and particularly so upon the achievements within the Dominion during the war period. Since March, 1915, in spite of the depletion 'f labour for the war, wo have been able to produce toi. the Imperial Government about 120 millions' worth of wool, meat, and dniry produce. That is proof cf the productive strength' of the Dominion, and epeaks volumes for the country's resources and industry. The energy of the settlers has been handicapped by the abeence of the p-eat body of men who responded tb the Empire's coil. The policy of the Government throughout the long course and strain of the war was to do onr full eharo jn pressing the good caufe to a successful issue and still to keep "the country prosperous. Now the war has come to an end we can look baok and see we have been successful in both. Our losses, unfortunately, were heavy; but our consolation ie that our boys who made the supreme sacrifice have given their lives in a great cause. They put an immortal seal upon our freedom. They heard the eunset gnn too soon, but they have left for us and others'a long day of peace.

A Welcome for Emigrants. New Zealand, liko all Allied countries, hae its problems of peace as it had its problems of war, but in freedom from the world strife we should surely achieve as full a measure of success f s we gained in the moro difficult and dreadful circumstances of war—a full measure of triumph. There is within the Dominion great scope for progressive effort. Large areas await settlement. It may not bo as Rood land as that already settled, but it is useful land, capable of profitable development by men with grit and eagerness to establish comfortable homes. There is an opportunity for tens of thousands who aro prepared to work for success. The demands of war retarded the preparation for extensive settlement, owing to the absence of surveyors and their assistants on active porvinej but shortly wo shall be able to resumo operations at the promising point at which they were broken off _ towards the end of 19W. Our intention is to cany on vigorously our polioy as regards land settlement and the development of the Dominion's resources. Such a policy is absolutely essential if New Zealand is to carry without serious inconvenience the heavy burdens resulting from the war. Industrious people need have no fear rf not doing well in New Zealand. 'Work means success. He had never tnown properly Erected energy to fail. Mr. Jlassoy adds: "I welcome the Imperial Government's scheme for emigration to the Dominions. Tint our own soldiers must como first. They have- earned preference and wise encouragement."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. hugheslnterviewed (Bee. July 3, 10.5 p.m.) London, July 2. Sir Now ton Mooro entertained' Mr. W. 11. Hughes (the Australian Prime Minister) at a luncheon at the House of Commons. Mr. Hughes said lie viewed tho industrial future of Britain .with apprehension. He predicted tho greatest trade war in history, adding: "England is the .worst-equipped nation to meet it. Australia paid tho highest labour prices of any country in the world, vot Australia could beat England in the world's coal markets if freights were normal—not because of tho price of labour being high or low, but because of tho greater production." Ho urged England to realise that tho question was not whether there ehould bo Capitalism ox no Capitalism, Socialism or no Socialism, but whether there was work or no work. Mr. Hughes urged more rapid and cheaper means of communications and interchange of ideas with the Dominions.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn,