HOW. 0. MACDONALD.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1918, Page 3

HOW. 0. MACDONALD.

fpjen IMIHSB ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.)

GISBORNE, Sept. 24

Speaking to a deputation urging tlio establishment of soldiers’ settlements in this district, the, Hon. W. D. S. Macdonald said he had taken .put a list of about 150 farmers with property extending from Mangtu to East Cape, owning 3000 acres up to 40,000. He was strongly of the opinion that these men could hand over a portion of their land pro rata tit reasonable price, and that it was not too much to expect of them. He hoped local landowners would take into consideration the fact (and he was not one given to making threats) that there was a demand for land and that it would be well for owners of large areas of land to hand over certain portions for this purpose. When there were large numbers of men anxious to get on the land, sonm provision had to be made, and he knew .there were large areas held by individual men to whom it would be no difficulty to offer some of it to the Government. If they did not, the Government i cotilcl not he blamed if something was | done for the people. Referring to native land purchase operations, the Minister said that all the land purchased had been earmarked for soldier settlement. He did not think here would he any difficulty in consolidation. The Hon. A. T. Ngnta had boon working at consolidation, and he (the speaker) did not think it would be necessary to wait until other purchases wore completed to get some of the land opened up. The original idea had boon that the land should be held until the rejurn of the men to New Zealand. There were now over 20,000 men returned, and lie did not think settlement should be delayed much longer. There were not, however, men for^reading and surveying, and apart fi-hm this .everything was now so expensive. They had. over 200,000 acres in the ITrewern country, and some of it 1 was really good land, and when a few ] more purchases were made- lie thought they would he able to get on with it. It was absolute nonsense for some to suggest that every returned soldier, should go on the land. It would be all very well for people to say in the event of a disaster, that the GoveTnment gave too much for the land, and the Government was right in taking reasonable precautions.