The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1919. LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1919, Page 4

The Da ily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1919. LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Now that the fit men of the Dominion's Main Body troops and subsequent reinforcements are commencing to return, the problem of providing land for the men is becoming acute, but owing to the absence of the two leaders of the National Government there appears to be little prospect of a solution being reached. At Napier last week a deputation of returned soldiers waited upon Sir John Findlay and complained of the way in which the Government was dealing with the provision of land for such men. According to the Napier Telegraph, it was pointed out that Waipuna, near Otani, belonging to the late Mr. Williams, and Karamu, belonging to the late J. D. Ormond, were shortly to be sold by public auction, and it was emphasised that these lands were eminently suited for closer settlement, the Karamu property to be sold consisting of 400 acres close to Hastings, lending itself for subdivision into 40acre sections for dairying, while the Waipuna land was much larger in area, but also ideal for soldier settlement. One of the speakers demonstrated that it was practically impossible for returned soldiers to obtain land at auction, owing to inability to provide the required cash, and as an instance in point referred to the recent sale of the Raukawa land by public auction when the whole area was purchased by a wealthy buyer who already possessed considerable areas of rich land. At the same time the deputation entered an emphatic protest against planting soldiers on back block land of poor quality, and remote from means of transportation, and it was urged that a large amount of settlement that had already taken place would inevitably end disastrously for both the soldiers and the State. Not only was complaint made of the lack of vigor and system on the Government's part in acquiring land for soldiers, but it was insisted that unless immediate, energetic and systematic action was taken by the Government in acquiring suitable lands, this best-of'-ali schemes for finding profitable occupation for returned soldiers would be scandalously defeated. There are two main points in connection with this business to which attention is specially drawn, namely, (a) The pledge of the Government to find land for those returned soldiers who desire it. (b) The professed intention of the Government to prevent aggregation. The Premier distinctly stated,in the House that the provision of land for soldier:; was the Government's first duty, but he has gone to Paris and left the soldiers' toadies* while lie has been putting up a theatrical fight for a place at the Conference for Sir Joseph Ward, who had far better staved' in New Zealand and been entrusted wit!) the position of Mr Masaey '& deputy io carry on the important work which is now hung up owing tc Parliament not being in session 'valuable time is being wasted for no just reason 1

and the returned soldiers are losing faith in the fulfilment of the pledge given by the Government and endorsed by the country. It must be very galling to these men to find that land pre-eminently suited for close settlement is being acquired by wealthy landowners who already possess more land than any one man should be allowed to hold. This aggregation has been vigorously condemned again and again, but money still tell|. All sorts of subterfuges are adopted to overcome disabilities to hold excessive areas in the cases where the Crown has power of control, but where the land is freehold a man can acquire as much as his means or credit will permit. The deputation to Sir John Findlay made out a very strong case not only against placing returned soldiers on back block land of poor quality, but in favor of the acquisition of good land that can be cut up into forty or fifty-acre sections. They also put forward a sound argument in support of the formation of soldier settlements and for the exercise by the Government of its power to compel landowners to sell to the State. It was claimed, probably with good reason, that if returned men were enabled to combine and find land for themselves, submitting the areas to the Land Purchase Board for approval as to suitability, they would actively seek out available land in accessible districts and would make at least as good a bargain—possibly better—than the Government, since the soldiers would ultimately have to pay the price agreed upon. It was also submitted that if both systems referred to, that of compulsory purchase and under financial legislation, were employed, the right class of land could be obtained in areas requisite for the demand, which from now on will increase enormously. That these returned men are seriously anxious in their endeavors to stir the Government to action is evident, and it is a distinct slur on the National Government that it should be necessary for the soldiers to move in this matter. Time presses and only the fringe of the problem has so far been touched, but what can be done? From one end of the Dominion to the other there should arise an insistent demand for prompt and systematic action by the Government to carry out their solemn pledge. There are several ways in which action can be taken to supply the demand for land suitable for the men who went forth to save the Empire and uphold the rights of humanity. The time has come to test the good faith of the Government in this matter, and there is no question that, if the spirit is willing, the way is open in several directions for the performance of a duty which is imperative as well as politic. The power is already in the hands of Cabinet, and it is absolutely necessary it should be exercised with energy and expedition.