LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1916, Page 6

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER* . TRAINING FARM- SUGGESTED. . By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, August 4. The Government, some time ago, proclaimed the Tiratu block of native land; near Dannevirkc, leases of which will shortly expire, with a view to acquiring it as a settlement for returned soldiers. To-day the Premier was waited on by a deputation 1:0 m the Hawke's Bay War Relief Association, who suggested that 500 acres of the block should be set aside for the purpose of training in agricultural pursuits soldiers who had had no previous country experience. Mr. Masscy replied that he .already had more applications from soldiers for land than he could supply, yet the deputation wanted him. to set aside 500 acres for a training farm instead of alloting it to soldiers and settlers. The. Government had bought some thousands of acres for soldiers' settlement the previous week, but that would not go very far. He expected to have a thousand applicants before the end of the present year, and he looked forward to ultimately placing 5000 soldiers on the land. It was estimated that, there would be upwards of 5000 experienced men looking for land, but he did not anticipate that they would all make a success or their holdings. lie feared that he could not set aside as much as SOO acres for a training farm when experienced men were anxious to take up land. Further, where could instructors be obtained? Ho would, however, consider the scheme.