RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17282, 25 September 1916, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

ON THE LAND. VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS SUGGESTED. Some interesting speeches on the question of the best means of placing returned soldiers on the land wero made on Saturday afternoon at the ceremony of the unveiling of the foundation stone of tho Soldiers' Memorial Hall at Darfield. In the course of his address of welcome to the visitors, prominent among these being the Hon G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Mr G. Witty, M.P., Mr H. A. Knight, chairman of tho Darfield Patriotic Committee, said that they could not do too much for the soldiers, and the erection of the hall was only a beginning. With regard to tho placing of returned soldiers on the land, experienced farmers would agree as to the futility of placing men with little experience and small capital on the or-dinary-sized farms, lie believed that with the help of the Government it would be possible to have village settlements for . the returned soldiers. Single men could live in hutments, and use a common dining-room. Ho was sure the Darfield farmers would gladly co-operate. (Hear, hear.) They could lease to the soldiers five or ten-acre allotments, to be run on profit-sharing lines if necessary. Many farmers would employ tho men at a fair wage, and would lend teams to do the heavy work of the small farms. Sometimes there were difficulties in buying land for settlement purposes, as Government officials seeking to buy land were usually considered fair game, and a bit moro was put on the price. (Laughter.) But ho was sure that the committee would find. out what land was available and advise the Government as. to its value and suitability. Darfield being within two miles of Lako Coleridge electrical transmission line should be able to get power cheaply, and he believed that with the Government's co-operation the proposal he had outlined could be made very successful. Mr Witty said that tho district was suitable for closer settlement, and the returned soldiers should not all be put in ono' place nor on areas too small. Darfield was a. very healthy spot, and had lovely views, and would make an excellent site for a sanatorium. Perhaps the Minister would take notice of this remark. MINISTER'S SUPPORT.

The Hon G. W. Russell said that his long exp6rience made him agree with the chairman's remarks as to providing for the returned soldiers; but, replying to Mr Witty, he was 'satisfied that if the farms offered to the returned men were of 200 to 300 acres, very few men would be able to take advantage of the offer. (Hear, hear.) It would take about £2OOO to £3OOO to stock, fence and equip such a farm. He believed that the village settlement scheme could be worked successfully with regard to returned soldiers, and was, in fact, the key of the problem of placing such men on the land. Certain principles had been laid down as necessary tor tho success of a village settlement, namely (1) good land, (2) accessibility to a market, (3) it must bo located in a district where work was available for the settlers at certain periods of the year. These conditions were ideal, and if the Darfield Patriotic Committee would bring before him a concrete proposal as to the possibilities of the district for • village settlements, he would lay it before the War Funds Council, of which lie was chairman. , This council was a national fund, and now held abodt £20.000. He thought that he could promise that the council would give a subsidy to any approved proposal to establish a returned soldiers' village settlement in Darfield. (Applause.)

BIG NATIONAL SCHEME

The West Coast, continued the Minister had recently transmitted its funds of £3600 to the War Funds Council, which was arranging to establish on the West Coast & settlement on similar lines to those proposed by Mr Knight. This might prove to be the beginning of a big national scheme. They must remember that 60,000 men had to bo provided for. Many of these had previously worked indoors and in offices, but would now want to go on the land. Could they say to these men that there was no land available? The country could place 60,000 mon, yea, 600,000. if the big estates were cut up. (Applause.) He could see around him many men who had started farming in a small way on ten-acre sections, but bv hard work had got on until now they owned large farms and were prosperous. He believed that the returned soldier should have the same opportunity of success. The proposed village allotments would test the men's characters besides giving thorn farming experience. Every man should also bo given the opportunity of acquiring tho freehold of his section. He could assure them on behalf of the Government that any proposals submitted by tho Darfield Patriotic Committee would receive the most careful consideration. (Applause.) SPREAD OF CONSUMPTION.

Dealing with tho treatment of returned wounded or sick men, the Minister said that one item giving tho Government considerable anxiety was the large number of returned soldiers suffering from pulmonary disease, or consumption. It had been estimated that one man in thirty among all tho men returning from the front could be expected to return to New Zealand

suffering from some form of consumption. He hoped that the figures would not be so bad as estimated; it seemed a very high percentage; but if it were so the Government would have to consider carefully the question of providing further accommodation and sanatoriums. He was not promising Darfield that a sanatorium would be erected in the district, but would Mr Knight be prepared to find about 300 acres for consumptive soldiers, where they could work and get their health and strength restored? Medical authorities had agreed that it was best for consumptives to work, as this helped to effect a cure. Mr Knisht said that he thought he could find the land required.