EX-SOLDIER FARMERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1921, Page 5

EX-SOLDIER FARMERS.

EXPERIENCING “HARD TTMES.'’ FROM THE GOTORNMENT,’ FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. By Telegraph—Presa Association. Wellington, Last Night. The difficulty under which many returned soldier settlers are laboring owing to the financial stringency was recently the subject of representations tc the Minister of Lands by the executive council o-f the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. The deputation pointed out that, many ex l -soldier farmers were left in the position of not< being able to discharge their det>t4 to storekeepers, who had supplied Stem hitherto with the necessaries of lif# ©n credit, and that they now found it. impossible to continue on those lines. The committee placed before the Minister several suggestions which it was contended might assist in alleviating some of the hardships being experienced, especially by those engaged in sheep farming. The ( Minister received the suggestions favorably, and has now communicated with the secretary of the association, fn his reply he says the trouble would appear to concern principally soldiei settlers who are sheep farmtM and. graziers of stock, and the difficulties lira, der which they labor are due primarily to the poor prices now obtainable foi their wool and fat stock. The Minister adder “I have much pleasure in inform* ing you that this matter has receive*} the serious consideration of the Government, and it has been decided that th® only solution of the difficulty is in the direction of providing further flnancia.l assistahee by adjustment of mortgages, with a consequent increase in accommodation, such adjustment to relate only to those soldier settlers who are hard workers, who' have done sterling work in the development of their properties, and whom, I consider, should be offered every inducement to remain on their lands.”