SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 May 1919, Page 3

SOLDIER SETTLERS.

The following are extracts from a recently issued report of the Lands Department on Discharged Soldiers Settlement:—

Advice has been given to soldier settlers whenever practicable by experts of the Agriculture Department, Crown Lands Bangers, and other officials of the Lands and other Departments of the State, and by private individuals. This advice is of great assistance, and every endeavour will be made to see that all new selectors are given practical advice to enable them to deal with the particular class of land allotted. The purchase of stock is supervised most carefully, so that advances made for this purpose may be expended to the best advantage. In some cases settlers have purchased out of their own funds implements and machinery in excess of their requirements, and it has been pointed out to them that, where several small farms adjoin, a system of co-operation is advisable wherever possible in the purchase of expensive implements, with a view to avoidmg j waste of money. This, however, is largely a matter for the settlers ' themselves, and t.h.,6 Department does not desire, to inteifere beyond giving practical advice on the subject;'but it does not make advances, where the requisitions are in excess of what is reasonable ;for working the sections. . There is a tendency amongst some of the soldier settlers to rely too much on outside labour to do the work for which Government advances have been made, instead of doing it themselves wherever possible, as "improved" farm" settlers would do' This should be discouraged, or the soldiers will soon find themselves at the end of their resources. This advice particularly applies to bush farmers, who should earn the advances by fellin* and grassing the land themselves, by which means they will gain experience in the management of land as they progress, and their future will,be assured. On the other hand, with labour so dear the money that may be advanced will soon fritter jaway, and the soldier with very little experience and no money will not be able to make the best use of the grass he has grown by contract labour. Sympathy with returned soldiers found practical expression in the action of the settlers located in the vicinity of the Stalker Settlement, at Seaward Downs, in the Southland Land District, It was necessary that an area of 180 acres, comprising portions of each of the allotted sections, should be ploughed, and

the work was taken in hand by - the neighbouring settlers, with

the result that the whole area

was ploughed in less than two jdays. While ploughing operaj^jomsfcwere in progress it was also &SJhded to make provision for the ." necessary seed, and upwards of £100 was subscribed for the purpose.