PROBLEMS OF COUNTRY LIFE 115 



In the two countries where a Federal Government exists, 

 namely, Canada and Australia, tentative steps have been taken 

 toward working out a cooperative plan the general nature of 

 which is for the general Government to supply the land and to 

 supervise its division, and maybe control. A general board has 

 been appointed in each case and on which each of the states or 

 provinces is represented. Undoubtedly when the period of de- 

 mobilization approaches this plan in the case of Canada and Aus- 

 tralia will be carried out in great detail. 



Aid to the soldier takes a variety of forms. There are, first, 

 the allowances which are given a soldier for himself and family 

 in the probationary period of working and beginning of expe- 

 rience; under this head might be mentioned transportation 

 which all of the countries offer the soldiers when they are travel- 

 ing to training stations or to the land ; second, either the giving 

 of land or the pricing it to the soldier at the cost of purchase 

 and subdivision; third, the supplying of advice, guidance and 

 instructions by all countries; fourth, the supply of grading, farm 

 tools and sometimes farm animals free or at cost (under this 

 head may be mentioned the supply of seeds and fertilizers) ; 

 fifth, credit advances for the taking up of mortgages and incum- 

 brances, for clearing, leveling, and ditching of lands, for erec- 

 tion of fences, buildings, barns and houses, for the building of 

 homes; sixth, assistance in the organization of cooperative buy- 

 ing and selling associations and the giving of whatever aid the 

 State Governments ought to give in this direction. 



In every instance the payments for the purchase of the land 

 or for the reimbursement to the State for advances are stretched 

 over a long period of time. The period of payment varies from 

 20 years, as in the case of Ontario, to 36Vs> years, which is the 

 case in the Australian States. Advances for stock and develop- 

 ments are repayable in from 10 to 25 years. The interest 

 charged is seldom more than % cent more than the interest paid 

 on public securities. 



In Canada freehold rights prevail In England the perpetual 

 lease predominates. In New Zealand both the lease and .the 

 freehold are given. In Australia some of the States, such as 

 New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland, do not 

 give a freehold title. The occupier pays a rent- of about l 1 /^ per 



