PROSPECTIVE SETTLERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 161, 3 April 1920, Page 6

PROSPECTIVE SETTLERS

SCHEME AFFECTING BRITISH OFFICERS. : The Director-General of AgrichlUiro (Dr. 0. T. Kcakos) has issued Iho following statement regarding « scheme for the training in 'farming operations in this country of British officers v. ho may wish to have such * training: Following tho termination of the war, the Imperial Government lias adopted a polity of encouraging demobilised olliccrs of suitable type to take i,p {'arming as an occupation in the pverseas Dominions. Ail arrangement has been niado; under , which fifty selected fit .men ivlio have held commissions in the Imperial forces arc given some .monetary assistance by Ihe Ilome Government towai'ds learning farming occupations' in Now Zealand. Later, some who arc. partiallv disabled may come along. . Tt is expected that tho lit moil may begin to arrive it any time., and it is consequently necessary to now make provision for assisting them to settle down, nnd begin to learn farming under New Zealand conditions. The arrangement made by the Homo Government provides that tliev may go through a course at an agricultural college, learn the work 011 a Government fnrm. or oii a privatelyowned station or farm approved by the New Zealand Department of Agriculture. At the present time all the available accommodation at the Government farms 13 occupied by our own returned soldiers, and will -bo kept available for them as long as is needed, hence it is desired that places be found 011 sheep stations or suitable privately-owned farms for tlioso incoming learners who decide to learn farming on purely practical lines rather than take a course in: scientific, agriculture. Thev should make good settlers Inter, and thorcby do their share in increasing the productivity of the Dominion. Jt can be quite well assumed that, being learners, they will be willing to enter into suitable financial arrangements with those willing to take them on. I will be very glad if any station owner or. farmer who would bo agreeable to assist in this particular phase of post-war reconstruction vort by taking one of these soldier learners on to his place will communicate with-1110 as soon as possible, stating what lie. fa prepared to do. From what little I know I anticipate that they will be prepared to "et right into work and do their best, and.not look for anything more than the decent and cleanl'y living conditions fully deserved bv men who have risked their lives for their country, and thereby earned consideration and ass'stauca from their kinsmen overseas.