THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1944. SERVICEMEN AND THE LAND.

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 233, 29 June 1944, Page 4

THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1944. SERVICEMEN AND THE LAND.

When he addressed the R.S.A. conference this week the Minister of Rehabilitation said that 310 ex-servicemen had been settled on farms, dairying properties having a carrying capacity of not fewer than 40 to 50 cows and sheep-farms of from 700 to 1000 ewes. At first glance that might appear to be a fairly energetic start with what is recognized to be the basis of the whole rehabilitation plan. But if the figures given include the men who have negotiated.their own purchases, and simply obtained a measure of financial assistance through the channels provided, the extent of new settlement may be small indeed. There may, and probably, have been instances where a son has arranged for the purchase of part of his father’s holding, and every such instance means another man on the land, another ex-serviceman permanently settled. In other cases young men may have bought farms from those who find the physical work beyond their capacity, and that will mean the application of greater energy, if for the time being possibly less practical judgment, to the task of primary production. But these cases, and others allied to them, do not constitute what the community understands by land settlement. How many men have been placed on holdings that represent an increase to producing land? There are large areas, originally purchased for closer settlement purposes, which are in every way ready for subdivision. It would be interesting to know whether the 70 sets of homesteads, with all farm buildings, mentioned by the Minister as having been ordered were intended for these blocks, or was it planned to put them on farms forming parts of the areas purchased in the last two or three years? . . It may be quite correct to say, as the Minister did, that seldom could a block of land be bought ready for occupation, but the State has at Gala'tea and elsewhere land that is ready, the block mentioned having been fenced with a view to subdivision. Has anything yet been done with that area, or does the Government intend to retain its interests in returns from sharemilking contracts ? There runs through all ministerial references to land settlement by ex-servicemen the idea that only fully-improved places can be considered. The Minister of Rehabilitation, for instance, told the conference that his department had considerable areas awaiting development. Has the possibility of young-energetic men desiring to capitalize their strength and skill by doing the development work themselves been considered? Many men z would prefer to make their own farms instead of starting out on the routine wort of running a place already broken in. They believe, and not without good reason, that in many instances they can breakin land cheaper than any department and thus, lower their capital commitments. It is difficult to see evidence of broad vision, and that drive that gets things done, in the address of the Minister to the N.Z.R.S.A. conference. Now is the time to put plans into operation as far as circumstances will allow. There are thousands of men overseas who are admirably fitted to run farms. They were born and bred on them, have worked on them all their lives, and need only the opportunity and they will make good. If preparations are made for them, in anticipation of their return, no small part of the settlement of exservicemen on the land will have been accomplished.