106 THE MINORITY REPORT 



tunities of success. Part I of the Committee's Report, 

 in our belief, fulfils this condition, and we are glad to 

 see a start being made with the three Pioneer Colonies 

 provided for by the Government Bill recently intro- 

 duced in the House of Lords. 



39. In Part I it was contemplated that some 5,000 

 men might after the war be settled in State Colonies 

 and another 5,000 by County Councils. But if this 

 is to be done the land must be acquired and the colonies 

 equipped ready when they are wanted, i.e. before 

 demobilisation is over. We, therefore, think that the 

 Government should forthwith extend their operations 

 on the lines of their present Bill,^ and also introduce 

 a Bill to amend the Small Holdings Act, 1908, and 

 effect the other changes advised in paragraphs 103 to 

 114 of Part I. of the Committee's Report, to enable 

 County Councils to estabhsh colonies of small holdings 

 similar to the State Colonies. 



The summary of paragraphs 103 to 114 of Part I is as 

 follows : 



*' (a) That county councils should undertake the provision 

 of small holdings for ex-Service men who are not prepared 

 to go to the State Colonies (paras. 21 and 103). 



" (6) That as far as possible councils should establish 

 colonies of small holdings similar to the State Colonies (paras. 

 107, 112, and 113). 



"(c) That the Public Works Loan Commissioners should 

 be authorised to resume the issue of loans to councils for the 

 purchase and adaptation of lands for small holdings (para. 

 107). 



*' (c?) That the Small Holdings Act should be amended, so 

 that the Board of Agriculture may become partners with 

 the county councils in the whole business of providing small 



1 The Bill to establish three State colonies of small holdings was 

 passed, and is known as The SmaU Holdings Colonies Act, 1916. 



