LAND FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1918, Page 6

LAND FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS.

* Tallin ACTION BY STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCir, At Saturday's meeting of the Stratford County Council, a letter was received fro mtbe Whangurei County Council, asking support of the council in preventing the poorer classes of land be ing offered to returned soldiers. The contention was that to settle these men on poor land meant failure to themselves and cost to the Government. A deputation to the Whangurei Council suggested Ilia" councils ask the Commissioners of Crown Lands to supply particulars of land set apart for settlement for returned soldiers, so that enquiry could be made (by men acquainted with local conditions) if the land was suitable, Cr. Were considered the question, was more one .that suitable men be selected. Cr. Christoffel" said there were hundreds of thousands ,of acres of land which should be cut up for soldiers. The land should be of a class which would I emvblc the men to nigke a living. They should not be sent to the baokbloeks, after what the men had gone through. Cr. Hancock Warmly supported Cr. Christoflel. ' > The chairman (Cr. E. Walter) said that amongst the returned soldiers there ■were all sorts and conditions. Some were to farming and others wera not. Experienced farmers would do letter if placed on, poorer-class land tlmn would the inexperienced men. Some had an idea that any fool could make a living on a farm, and, in some case 3, inexperienced men had been successful, though with the present high cost of goods and implements, this would have a limit. Continuing, the chairman stated that the council was interested in this mattef, as they had to collect rates on these farms, and if inexperienced men were placed on these and failed it meant penalising the council in the shortage of rates. The Whangarei Council were more concerned albout the gumlands of the north, which were of poor quality. The principle, however, was what they were aiming at and this slwuld be supported. After a little further discussion, it was unanimously resolved to support the letter.