LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1918, Page 4

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

The Hon. W. D. R Mac Donald (Minister for Agriculture) lias arrived at the eonelusion that the provision of land for the settlement of returned soldiers should not be delayed much longer. He did not venture on fixing a time limit, as possibly that might have led to an awkward situation when the period had expired; but while the Minister is thinking and talking- in this indefinite manner, the public are wondering if the time will ever arrive when the talking stage will have pascsd tind action be taken. For the last decade at least the question of closer settlement and the breaking up of large estates has been calling with an ever-increasing insistence for practical action, but the only step taken was to increase the revenue of the Dominion by means of extra taxation on the wealthy landowners. Instead of estates being broken up, the Governments of recent years have legislated in such a way as to encourage aggregation instead of closer settlement. There is, admittedly, some land that must be held in large areas, but that does not in any way a fleet the question of closer settlement or soldiers' settlement, as the class of land that meets both these purposes must be such as will enable the holders to obtain a livelihood off a small, firstclass section. In the North Island there are thousands of acres suitable for being cut up into small farms. Some of Uiis land is leasehold, some freehold, and other part Native—either on. lease or lying idle. If this problem had been tackled and solved some ten years ago it would have saved an enormous sum of money and the finding of suitable land for returned soldiers. According to Mr. Mac Donald, he had a list of I.H) farmers on the East Coast owning from 3000 to 40,000 acres of land, and lie is of opinion that these men could hand over a portion of their land at a reasonable price—and that it was not too much to expect from them. Whether he was! serious or not in this statement can only be surmised, but he ought to know these large landowners sufficiently well to be assured that nothing but compulsory subdivision will enable the present urgent need for hind to be met, and it is the framing of legislative machinery to deal with this matter that needs prompt and olt'eetive action. As a preliminary step the Government should invite suggestions from those acquainted with the land in every part of the Dominion, so as to ascertain what land now held in] large blocks is suitable for cutting up, and then, to obtain reports thereon and as to reading from the Crown lands rangers. It is almost too much to expect that drastic steps will be taken prior to a general election, for fear of consequences, but none the/less there is no time to waste, and though the/Government is acquiring some land for soldier settlement, only the fringe of the' question is being touched. Jt is the main principle that needs attention without further delay,