SOLDIERS' SECTIONS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 26 April 1917, Page 5

SOLDIERS' SECTIONS.

To the Editor

Sir, —Mr. G. A. Wheeler is correct in his statement that the land drawn by a Taihape soldier is suitable, and I am pleased to hear such is the case. I

was informed on the authority of several prominent land-owners who knew the district that the land was of poor quality, but this evidently referred to sections other than the particular one in question. The main point, hewever, is that Taihape district would be best served if local soldiers were enabled to take up land in and around Taihape instead of being required to go elsewhere. It is a fact that some of the sections drawn by soldiers are useless for the purpose intended. I know this from perrv.nal information from soldiers in the Auckland, Wellington, and Otago districts. I know of two soldiers who drew sections in ih e Feilding district which they h-id'to relinquish on account of absence of water, feed and other necessities In successful farming. The matter of placing soldiers on the land will be the biggest : problem of the future, and in placing a soldier on the'land his value to the country is increased. It must be remembered that the majority of soldiers going on the land are new to the occupation and require every assistance and the best of land to start with. My primary duty as Taihape correspondent is Ih'e furtherance of the district, and this cannot be done better than by placing our sol-

diers en the land in our Own district if possible. Thanking von fcr open-

ing your columns for this '-discussion I am. etc..—Local Correspondent,

Auckland Weekly News