LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 296, 10 September 1919, Page 10

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

THE UNDEVELOPED AREAS I "NOT 5 PER cIntToF FAILURES." "I want to assure members that wo have not forgotten the undeveloped lands of the Dominion," said'the Minister of Lands (Hon. i). 11. Guthrie) last night, in tho course of some references'to soldiers' settlements. The Government has been accused of buying lnnd at too high a wice. but tlie fact to bo remembered was that up to quite recently the demand for sections had come from invalided men. who wer3 not generally able to take up unimproved, rough land. Tho virein laud and backblock land had been kont for the fit men, and much morn would havo been done in the wnr of its settlement in the immediate past Yut for the fact that funds had been lackXg for development work. \

Mr. H, Semple (Wellington South): How do vou propose to deal with the soldier on bush land?

Mr. Guthrie: AVe advance up to ,£1250 on bush land. Tho settler can cither do tho work himself and draw the money fnr sustenanco or ho can pay for labour. Tho _ settlement of soldiers is proceeding in a very satisfactory way. lam assured by the Commissioner'of Crown Lands in Wellington that wo are not iroing to havo five per cent, of failures in the Wellington district. I think that is a record we can bo proud of. Mr. Semple: What are you doing for the training of tho soldier?

Mr. Guthrie: The member for Wellington South has not gono into this auestion. He seems terribly ignorant of what has been done. I will mention for his information that wo havo appointed experienced men as supervisors, who will advise and instruct the settlsrs. We havo four training farms nt. which the soldiers can be trained, nnd another farm is being got ready at Masterton.