212 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



couver on September 20, 1915, adopted a proposal in which it was 

 stated, inter alia, that the present system of homesteading was use- 

 less for a solution of unemployment difficulties, owing to the pros- 

 pective settler having insufficient capital and experience. The com- 

 mittee of the Congress recommended that the Government should 

 select land for the proper carrying out of a scheme and be requested 

 "to offer, as an option, to discharge from the army, further enlistment 

 for a period of five years of such men as would be willing to undertake 

 agricultural work under the direction of qualified experts from experi- 

 mental farms and agricultural colleges; that such men received the 

 regular army pay and allowances with rations on the same basis, 

 suitable accommodation to be provided with quarters for married 

 men and families. After such period of enlistment has expired the 

 men who have thus served should have the option of settlement 

 upon suitable sized allotments of the land so improved, the same to 

 be held on leasehold terms from the Dominion Government." 



The Ontario Commission on Unemployment states, in its re- 

 port, that there was a concensus of opinion among the witnesses who 

 discussed the subject of returned soldiers in favour of action along the 

 above lines. 



Mr. Lionel Curtis refers to the importance of the Imperial, Do- 

 minion and Provincial Governments co-operating in connection with 

 any scheme of settlement for returned men, and advocates the desira- 

 bility of securing improved medical service in rural districts, espe- 

 cially in the direction of an equipment of nurses. 



Although not so attractive, employment on the land at good 

 wages and with a good dwelling in a well populated area would be a 

 much better means of getting returned soldiers back to the land, 

 unless where they have ample capital, experience and a willingness 

 to undertake pioneer work. But, to accomplish the former, it is first 

 necessary to provide attractive housing conditions in rural districts. 



An informal committee, representing the leading agricultural 

 and housing associations in England, has been considering this prob- 

 lem and, while recognizing the advantage of peasant proprietorship 

 and farm tenancies, recorded its conviction that the greater majority 

 of ex-service men desiring a life in the country could only be provided 

 for by employment at wages, and, in order that they could be attracted 

 to the land, wages should be better and houses should be improved. 

 A government policy and legislation to effect these improvements 

 was urged. 



