LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1466, 30 October 1915, Page 4

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

A GENEROUS OFFER

WELLINGTON, OH. 27,

A suggestion and a generous oflcilia vo been made by VI r G. R. Donnelly, of Hawke’s Bay, in connection with the settlement of returned soldiers on the land. Writing to the Prime Vlinister. Mr Donnelly suggests that the present Land for Settlement Ac| should be so amended as to allow ol the creation ot a military Board consisting of the Minister for Lands, the Crown Land Commissioners, and five or six independent, landed proprietors. One district might extend from the Tauranga. Rotorua and Tanpo districts to the Vlanawatn stream, I Inis including largo areas at the present time lying practically idle and unproductive. .Mr Donnelly suggests the names of farmers who might serve on the Board. The first step should lip the establishment ol a military depot, and for this purpose some private land might be purchased and worked in con junction with several large blocks of Crown land in the Pet ane district. The Board would collect funds and gifts of sheep, cattle and would arrange to have farms ready stocked and (it for occupation by men returning from the trout. -Soldiers would have the,opportunity then to become prosperous settlers, and eventually, by increasing the general prdneliveness of the country, relieve the general community of a heavy burden ol taxation. There seemed no reason why men who had suffered pari ial-disable-ment should not be found useful and profitable work on the land under wholesome conditions. The Imperial Government had settled soldiers on the land in the Auckland, ilist riet alter the Maori wars, and the system had been highly successful. Similar work was most successfully carried out by the Ifou. J, D. Orinnud when Superintendent ot Hawke's Bay. AH bush lying between Takapan and Woodville was cleared by the settlers, and they not only cleared their own lands, fenced them, and grassed them, hut also made their own roads and assisted in building railways. He thought he was sale in saying that in both islands a quarter ol a niillion sterling would be subscribed for returned wounded soldiers and- he also felt certain Unit every farmer, rnnholder, merchant and storekeeper would help by giving something to go towards stocking, grassing and fencing farms, thus saving the Government from flu' necessity oi imposing taxation. If his proposal were carried out. he would he prepared to give (; 1.0(10 cash and 1000 two and lonr-teelh ewes (when required), to rams, oO two-year-old heifers, one Shorthorn or Polled Angus hull, one thoroughbred stallion. and five mares, Ik-,sides fowls and about (-’btl worth of station stores. In order to carry out I his scheme, it would bo necessary to have good storage room arranged for in all the principal centres ol both islands in charge ot an officer and stall' to receive all goods, and military camp depots to have a similar staff to receive all stock when required. He would suggest that the area ol land given to each individual should he- in accordance with his rank, viz., privates; area when fenced and grassed to carry 10(10 breeding ewes; non-coms., area when fenced and grassed to carry .1200 breeding ewes; sllb-lieiils,, area when fenced and grassed to carry 1400 breeding owes; captains, area when fenced and grassed to carry IbOO breeding ewes; colonels, area when fenced and grassed to carry 1700 breeding ewes; generals, area when fenced and grassed, to carry 2000 breeding ewes. The majority o| the land would he second and third-class'. He would also recommend that the ballot he done away with, and every section drawn for to ensure every man getting a block'.