The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-03
CANADA LOANS UP TO$7, 500
TO PUT SOLDIERS ON FARMS
Minister of Interior Meighan Gives Further Details Of
Colonization Plan-A Settlers Will
Be Near to Markets

I'm the article uhich joflctos the
Hon. Arthur Metohen, Canadidn Minister
Of the Interior, outlines the broad prin-
ctpIes and objects Of the DorHnion's
soldiers land settlement policy and also
erplotns the operative machinery Of the
scheme. As Minister Of the Inferior (he
- also aotin0 Minister Of Justtce), Mr..
Metohen 70 the Conadtan Minister re-
| sponstble for the administration Of his
oountry's soldiers settlement policy, and,
therefore, the article presented here,otth,
the product Of his pen. has special au-
thority and value.
This 70 the second article tuhtoh Mr..
Met0hen has torftten especially for the
Canodtan section Of THE SUN, dealtn0
'otth this tmportont subjectl
ny HON. ARTHURMEIGHEN NJ. p.
Canadian Minister Of the Interior.
Written especially for the caaadian Section
Of THE Sun.
| Second Article.
THAT nation Is strongest says
| Froude, which has the greatest number
| Of settlers on the land" 1t Is with the
| object OF getting settlers on the land, as
we'll as with q desire to assist ex-ser-
vice men to make success in life. that
the Dominion Governments soldier land
settlement policy has been designed. De-
spite her marvellous progress in COM
merce and finance, the corner stone of
Canada's industrial fabric Is and must
continue to be the land and to utilize
this heritage to the fullest advantage
to build into It and upon It as large a
proportion as possible of the best blood
and spirit of our country, thus solving
a problem of reconstruction than which
none is more vital in its bearing on ma
tional well being-is what is sought to
be achieved. The policy OF the Govern
ment, framed with such a purpose, has
been in operation only a few months:
and, while 1t Is yet too soon to build
| too confident hopes upon its success,
every indication points to a measure Of
accomplishment far beyond the expecta-
tons Of those who brought 1t Into being.
When the question OF soldier land
| settlement was first taken up by the
Government the proposal was to pro-
vide q free homestead for every soldier.
with a loan of $4,000 for the purchase
| Of live stock and equipment; but sur
vey OF crown lands disclosing that this
proposal might not prove a success. It
| was deemed advisable to assist soldiers
to settle on privately owned farms
where. in addition to securing existing
| improvements. they would also have ade-
Quate access to railway facilities.
Loans Are Authorized.
The Government accordingly decided.
| by Order in Council (slnce ratified by
Parliament) that loans may be granted
to soldier settlers for the purchase OF
lands In any province on the following
basis: "a Up to $4,000 on the acquire
| ment for agricultural purposes. CD up
to $4,000 for the purchase Of live
stock, implements and other equipment.
and (3) up to $1,000 on new buildings
| and improvements. This Is a total OF
$1,000. all of which, except $4,000 for
live stock and implements. is repayable
| in twenty-five years on the amort!za-
ton plan.
The Government undertakes further
services on behalf of war veterans. II
! has arranged with practically all the
| agricultural implement firms OF the
country for specially low prices to be
charged soldier settlers. With the aid
| Of experts it purchases horses, cattle.
sheep and swine at the>best prices OBJ
tainable and resells them to settlers at
| the price paid for them. 1t has ar
| ranged with lumber dealers of the west
ern provinces to provide lumber at
l ~
| the public. And II also provides pla rs
| for standard houses of four types rang
ing from modest dwelling suitable for
! n bachelor settler up to more commo-
| dious and convenient six roomed houses.
The Government further undertakes to
place soldiers who are otherwise quail
| fed (but who lack sufficient farming
! experience to warrant the Soldier Set
tiement Board placing them Immediately
| on the land) in training centres. spe-
cialIy equipped. where they may obtain
a good practical knowledge OF farm
work; or with selected farmers through
out the country, who will not regard
them as mere farm hands but as stu
dents keen for knowledge Of farm work.
The training centre course will not ex-
| coed three months. and the time a stu
dent will remain with a selected farmer
| will not exceed one year. During this
period of instruction the Government
navs the settler liberal allowances for
Subsistence for himself and his family.