A FINE LEAD

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 15 June 1917, Page 3

A FINE LEAD

AS TO SOLDIEB-SETTLEBS

GIVEN BY MB. G. P. DONNELLY

HAWKE’S BAY.

The Hon. G. W. Bussell (Minister for Internal Aaffirs) has received the following communications from Mr. G. P. Donnelly, of Taradale, Hawke’s Bay:— Knowing the very deep interest you take in our returned soldiers, you will bo pleased to 4'hear that I have completed the purchase of sheep t for the fourteen boys whom I am assisting on the Kaiwaka Settlement. The total paid for posts, wire, horses, packsaddles, and 9640 sheep is £12,600, which is additional to further money I have paid for patriotic purposes making a total of over £15,000, Of the above amount £7,000 will be lent to fifteen soldier-settlers free of interest for five years.

I feel sure that the greater part of this money will bo repaid within five years and be available from time to' time for placing future returned soldiers on the land. The deed of trustappointing Messrs A. B. Campbell (of Salisbury, Logan and Williams), my«elf and two other well-known Hawke’s Bay settlers as trustees will be completed, giving them control of the fund and at the end of ten years £IO,OOO, including the £3OO0■ promise by others, as mentioned later, is to be handed over to the Y.M.C.A., and the Salvation Army for the benefit of parents, widows, and families of Hawke’s Bay soldiers.

A well-known Hawke’s Bay gentleman has agreed that my scheme is the only one likely to do permanent good for the returned soldiers, and has stated that had he not already promised £SOOO to the Hawke’s Bay Patriotic Fund he would join me in the scheme but he has left instructions to give £2OOO as soon as the deed of trust is completed. Another well-known Hawke’s Bay settler has promised me £IOOO on similar conditions.

This is carrying out, so far as I can do it, my scheme as advanced to the Government at the beginning of the war, and I trust the Government will see their way to give it further consideration, and if possible influence private patriotism and patriotic funds already collected, in a similar direction or in any other suitable industrial dir rection. I am sure wealthy settlers would readily respond and the Government could pass an Act to administer the funds as promised. I will post you. a statement in full of the money expended.