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Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1920, Page 4

FRUIT GROWING FOR DISABLED SOLDIERS. A scheme which has been propounded by Mr. H. Calder, of Wanganui, for establishing partially disabled returned soldiers on a model colony in Marlborough where fruit growing would be Undertaken, presents several featuves that may prove a practical solution of a somewhat difficult problem. Mr. Calder claims that the Repatriation and Vocational Departments have so far failed to produce any definite scheme that permanently repatriates - partially disabled soldiers, and there is no doubt that liability of these men to break down at any moment considerably narrows the avenues of employment they can undertake. Obviously in such a scheme there must be some sort of grading, according to the nature of the disabilities of the men, so that every unit could be given work according to his fitness, all labor being valued and the worker credited with his share. In the case of less fit men the partial pension would continue in order to equalise his earnings with those of his less afflicted co-workers, until such time as the orchard is in full bearing. The great advantage of the project is that it will provide each man with a permanent and comfortable home, an assured income, and work within his diminished powers. Under such circumstances there should be little friction and ,no serious trouble in adjusting any differences that may arise between the men forming the colony. At the outset and during the process of bringing the orchard into full bearing, the scheme would require financing by the Government and controlling by experts, but some return could be obtained each year by growing small fruit, onions, and other marketable produce. The idea is that the colony should accommodate 100 men as a corporate body, governed by suitable by-laws and regulations so as to ensure good order, while prohibiting the importation of anything inimical to the welfare of the colony, provision being made for eliminating undesirables. Lieut.-Colonel Powell (general secretary of the N.Z. Returned Soldiers' Association) has expressed the opinion that the scheme is the best he lias yet seen. Possibly it'may be considered as somewhat Utopian, but there are elements in the scheme that, if properly developed, should ensure its success. The Government is desirous of doing the best it can "for the disabled men, and the public are most anxious to give them a chance of earning a Comfortable subsistence and utilising to good purpose such physical powers as they retain. Any scheme, therefore, that is likely to attain this object should receive careful attention, improved as much as possible, and given a fair trial.