"The Digger."

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 16, 2 July 1920, Page 8

"The Digger."

FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1320. THE BEGINNINC Of IHE END. The suddem suspenajiojn df the Discharged Soidiers' Settlement Act, has caused constemation in R.S.A. circles, throughout the Dominion. The Prime Minister and Mr Guthrie both promised that ample notice would be given of the tentiination of the benefits provided by the Act. For the Goveinmeni to state that it is only a temporary suspension cannot be borne out by either the Minister.' s or Mr Massey 's att-itude when they were met by R.S.A. delegates from the Annual Conference. The Minister would not even give a definite assuronce that early in the fortLeomir.g pr.rli.unciit a;i allccatm.. would be made which will enable the Act to operate as hefore the suspension. This failure to give a simple assurance, coupled with the Minister' s pet phrase, "special circumstances," can only cause widespread dissatisfaction among 100,000 soidiers who are determined to make a stand and endeavour to f~" ea the GoVernment to do the right thing to those men who are searching the country for suitable land. These men are searching the Dominion for land -which will meet their requirements, and costs time and money which is no sniall thh.g . coupled with the time spent on active §ervice. A recent census taken by the R.S.A. showi 5,000 suitable men looking for land. In a recent ballot there were -about five sections to be balloted for and 1,178 applicants. These men are entitled to the same provisions of any existing legislation as any of the men who succeeded earlier in being placed upon the land. "Special circumstances" are to be considered by the Minister, but "special circumstances" is as meaningless a phrase to returned soidiers as it is to the Minister himself. Those of us throughout the lengtli and breadth of this Dominion who have become repatriated and whom the Act cannot henefit, must be a

force behind R.S.A. activity and show the Government that the demands of 100,000 soidiers is a force to be reckoned with. In addition to those already in search of land, there are those who have just bcen released from hospital, or have lately completed their period of training under the Repatriation Department. These men are entitled to a chance to go on the land if they so desire, and the only equitable course open to Parliament is to make the benefits of the Act available for all soidiers and place 5,000 settlers on the land where they will becomo rroducers and increase 'the country's wealth.