216 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



est and sinking fund on the capital invested. Essential considera- 

 tions in connection with any such scheme would be: 



(1) That a proper plan and scheme of development be 

 prepared and that part of the area acquired, say two-thirds, 

 be set aside permanently as an agricultural estate around the 

 town. 



(2) That the land shall be acquired at a reasonable price, 

 having regard to its site and character; and that the site be 

 selected in such a position as to enable attractions to be offered 

 to manufacturers and residents. 



(3) That the scheme should be based on a sound financial 

 footing and that any special advantages offered to returned sol- 

 diers should be kept distinct from the business part of the enter- 

 prise. 



(4) That the dividend payable on capital provided from 

 public and private sources should be restricted to 6 per cent and 

 that all profits in excess of the amount required to pay such 

 dividend be used for the benefit of the town and its inhabitants. 



(5) That provision be made to prevent land speculation 

 without unreasonable restrictions of the power to negotiate the 

 sale of land. 



CONCLUSION 



In this chapter it is contended that the problem of placing ex-service 

 men on the land does not differ in any material sense from that of placing 

 any other class of settlers on the land; that any system of land settlement 

 which is sound for one class is, generally speaking, sound for another 

 class and should first be determined because of its soundness irrespective 

 of any class; that settlement should not be forced under any conditions, 

 but should be permitted to proceed naturally after the right conditions of 

 land development are laid down; that the obligation of the nation to ex- 

 service men should not be confused with the question of land settlement, 

 but should be determined on its merits as a distinct problem; that govern- 

 ment aid to returned soldiers, or others, by means of loans or education, 

 will fail in its object unless there is more scientific organization and plan- 

 ning of the beginnings of development; and that new towns and suburbs 

 combining opportunities for agricultural and industrial employment for 

 returned soldiers should be promoted by government aid in locations where 

 they can be successfully established on economic lines and without arti- 

 ficial pressure. 



