SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1922, Page 8

SOLDIER SETTLERS.

OPERATIONS IN TARANAKI, REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, October 24. In his report on soldier settlement for the year ended March 31, 1922 the Commissioner of Crown Lands for Taranaki says:— Only one settlement for discharged soldiers-, comprising three sections, of an area of 32'7 acres, has been acquired during the year, and ,on being balloted for two sections were taken up, whilst the remaining one has since been selected. Of the purely discharged soldiers settlements, Parkes Estate may be given pride of place, and even under existing conditions has a very fair equity. Most of the other settlements are being nursed, and there is no doubt

run-out pastures are as much the result of this as the decline in price of products. It is my aim—assisted by the Supervisor—to bring these back to a more satisfactory footing, but conservative advances only can be made. I have had in many cases to recommend payment for manures and seeds to provide winter feed, otherwise the Crown’s interest in the stock security would be seriously imperilled. Under ordinary circumstances- and with better prices this would have come under general farm-management, to be paid for by the selector out of his takings. I am pleased to note, however, the despondent note of the past few monthsas regards dairying is becoming less marked, and a more optimistic tone prevails. I, however, must stress the point that to hold various soldiers on their farms assistance must be rendered and, where a reasonable explanation can be given, debts due to the Crown postponed. Similar conditions are observable among the wool-men, but the provisions of Regulation 20 (a) are very helpful and are being availed of.

Holders of houses have met their obligations usually without demur, and while wages for artisans remain as at present I anticipate this branch of the business being sound. The Supervisor of Discharged Soldiers Settlements has rendered valuable assistance to many soldiers, more particularly on the Huatoki Settlement, by obtaining a standard form of building and obtaining timber. hardware, etc., at bedrock prices, enabling houses to be erected much more cheaply than they could have been done under ordinary conditions. If bushfelling, grass-seed, wire, and other necessaries were obtained by tender or

contract and uniformity arranged between neighbouring districts there would not be the using of one district’s price against another’s that at present exists, and this phase of the question of settlement is recommended for consideration.