Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY APRIL 16 1917 GUARDING SOLDIERS’ INTERESTS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY APRIL 16 1917 GUARDING SOLDIERS’ INTERESTS

The National Efficiency Board through its Commissioner in Canterbury has asked for a public meeting to be held here on Wednesday to take the preliminary steps to provide the machinery for the care and management of the farms of eoldiers while the latter are oa active eorvice. At the meeting in question Mr E. P. Burbury, who is honorary chief adviser in agricultural matters to the Canterbury Commissioner, the district of whom includes Westland County, will he present, and will explain the proposals now being put iu form generally elsewhere. The scheme ado nt* ed iu Canterbury is what, is known aa the Geraldine scheme, for the reason that at ameetiog held in that centre about a month ago, the details ware approved. Under the proposal in question the National Efficiency Board ask for volunteers from the Westland district to assist in tho genera! work. In the first- place a Committee of Advice of five members is required the purpose of assisting the Commissioner in carrying out the Government pchemo for the management of soldiers' farms. The Committee should include an agricultural farmer, a dairy farmer, a si oep farmer, a bueinees man with a knowledge of farm accounts, and a representative of labor. If practicable the Chairman of the County Council should be the Chairman of this Advisory Committee. In tbe second place it is desired that three trustees should be nominated for the district subject to the right of the Efficiency Board adding to the list, and that the soldier shall have the right to object to any member of a Board of Trustees for the management of his farm. If possible it is desirable that retired farmers should be seleoted for tbe oommittee work, aud it is understood that the wotk be uudertaken voluntarily only out of pocket expenses to be allowed members of the committee. Tbe Advisory Committee is required to select two—one of which should be the Chairman —to net as representative on a Oentiai Oommittee ; such Central Committee to consist of representatives of different Countiei, aod is for collaboration

when necessary. The Advisory Committee has the power, subject to approval of the Commissioner, to appoint sab-committeca when the number of farms to be looked after becomes too large for tbs original committee to bamiio. When farms are taken over for management it is the duty of the !melees to have the property including stock and implements, valued; and thereafter controlled and maintained by the trustees allowing only for fair depreciation. If convenient farms may be pooled and worked co-operativeiy wlfijp the owners are away. A property not in a sound financial position may act be taki nover. The Government are to give every assistance by ailoting balloted men who are retained for Home service. Dependents of absent Boldiers are to be given facilities to live on their farms. Such, briefly, are tha proposals to be considered on Wednesday. How far they are workable in this district remains to ba eaec, bat it is necessary to give all help in the matter, and a representative gathering of the community is looked for lo give the Efficiency Board every help to do their beat for the farming community on active service.