"The Digger."

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 8, 7 May 1920, Page 8

"The Digger."

FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1920. DISCHARGED SOLDIERS' SETTLEMT. tThe atiitude of the Govermnent in relaxing the administration of the Discharged Soldiers' Settiement Act will meet with widespread disapproval, and will shake the confidence of the people who have been promised that legislation effecting repatiiative measures wouid continue unhampered until repatriation was effectively carried out. In replying to a deputation from the R.S.A. the Prime Minister stated that, "no legislation affecting returne'd soldiers wouid be suspended or declaned inoperative or repealed until such time as those who were entitled to the privileges could avail themselves thereol" The plain facts are that the Prime Minister has failed to keep his word and shirked his responsibility to the rnen who are desirous of taking up land. The operation of the D.S.S. Act is_ generaliy understocd as hjibc decided henefit from the Govemment to the returned soldier. We should also ask ourselves jvhether or not this is" a sound business proposition for the State, providing the men are placed on the land under conditions which will enable them to make good. This country is essentially one in which the primary industries stand pre-eminent, and if production is to he increased, then every man who will go upon the land should have that opportunity, and by increasing production, increase the wealth of the country. Possibly at no time in the history of the Dominion has there been such a demand for land, as the following extract from the "News" will show : —

MOUTERE SETTLEMENT. Run 590 7100 \184 This is no time to adopt the "go slow policy" in regards to land settiement, and money should he rendered available which will help settiement to proceed with haste. The R.S.A., locaily, has protested against the Minister 's action, and the Auckland Associatlon has made a vigorous protest which should h© echoed through every association witbin th,e Dominion, and, fmally how is it that no announcement has been made of the prest . position in order that those in the country may know whai the position is and safe themselves the timo and trouble of making applicatrans and receiving them back from the Land Bo&rd I ^

Acres. Applicants. Section Is 264 78 Section 2s 142 45 Section 3s ... ... 165 51 Section 4s ... ... 342 45 Section 5s ... ... 245 66

ARDMORE SETTLEMENTS.

Section. Is ... ... 235 34 Section 3s 76 11 . Section 4s 340 37 Section 5s 438 46 Section 6s ... ... 605 48

PUKENUI SETTLEMENT.

Section Is 288 20 Section 2s 284 18 Section 3s 243 14 Section 4s ... ... 312 17

GLENN SETTLEMENT.