AUSTRALIA'S SOLDIERS.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 January 1919, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S SOLDIERS.

MELBOURNE, January 23. At conference of Commonwealth and State Ministers, Senator Millen, Repatriation Minister, stated that to date 70,000 men have returned from the front, and of these 7 per cent, expressed, a desire to settle on the land. There are still 197,000 abroad, the great hulk of whom will return within 12 months. He expressed the opinion that Australia was ripe for new rural industries. The Government was prepared to guarantee soldier settlers in such industries a minimum price for their produce, and to provide the work necessary to handle their product. , Mr. TV. A. Watt announced" that the Government will provide the various States with the money necessary for repatriation purposes at the ruling rate of interest. The Commonwealth proposes to use every means to stimulate the new industries and to enccur-. age the introduction of capital from abroad for developing rural or secondary industries.