SETTLEMENT OF SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 269, 9 August 1919, Page 7

SETTLEMENT OF SOLDIERS

MR. MASSEY'S OPINIONS

VERY GOOD WORK DONE

Some figures regarding tho progress of repatriation in this country wero given to tho Prime Minister on his arrival yes- 1 terday, and Mr. Massey communicated them to tho Press. . "I was delighted that so much had been dono i'n tho settlement of returned soldiers on the land," said Mr. Massey. "Whilo I havo been away from Now Zealand I havo made it my business to inquire as to what is being dono in this matter in other parts of tho Empire. I havo no figures by me, but I am satisfied that there is no other pur,t of the Empire, with the exception of Canada, that has dono anything like so much, in tho ■ settlement, of soldiers as has been done ; in this country. I may say also that j Canada has been following closely in tho ; footsteps of New Zealand. Tho Minis- • ter in charge of repatriation in Canada ■ happens to be a friend of mine. T had -. a long talk with him on the subject, and ■ he told me that ho had beon regularly , obtaining copies of all New Zealand pro- j posals in connection with tho settlement of soldiers, and that ho had been following in our footsteps. One advantngo Ihey have over Ms in Canada Is that th'ev have more land to givo. and it is land that will grow wheat. This makes it possible for the soldier to get a crop from his land at the first ploughing, which is' an fdvantago to the new settler/' " Following were the figures given by Mr. 1 General Summary as at .Tune 30, 1919. (a) Total number of soldier • settlers assisted financially (to 7/8/19) 3,821 (b) Total number of soldiers settled under the Act 1,811 fc) Total area held 739,522 acres (d) Total area available for immediate selection-"- ■ Farm holdings and runs 106,022 Small farms for , poultry-raising, etc 1,193 107,213 acres (o) House.'-: . Number of applications approved • 1 »' 65 Number of applications under consideration b-»