SETTLEMENT FIGURES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 7, 19 March 1947, Page 8

SETTLEMENT FIGURES

PROPERTIES FOR EX-SERVICE-MEN FULFILLING OF COUNTRY’S , PROMISES Interesting figures were supplied to the quarterly conference in Hamilton of R.S.A. delegates from the Bay of Plenty and other parts of South Auckland by Mr P. H. G. Bennett, the association’s representative on the Rehabilitation Board. He was especially concerned with land settlement problems under rehabilitation. Administration had its difficulties, and at times there seemed to be too much departmental influence, but rehabilitation could be kept prominent *by representations from district conferences.

The position was critical in some respects and a solution might mean some improvisation, but the objective would not be lost to sight. Cooperation in the objective of getting suitable ex-servicemen on to the land was essential. The country had promised certain things, and the servicemen’s organisations could keep pressing for them.

Mr Bennett quoted figures supplied to him by the Under-Secretary of Lands, to whom he referred as an officer keenly interested in and sympathetic with rehabilitation. The total land brought by negotiation up to January 31, 1947, was 255,900 acres, the total land acquired under Part II (compulsory acquisition) was 33,000 acres, and the total acquired under section 51 of the Land Sales Act was 840,400 acres, the total being 373,300 acres at a cost of £3,656,000. This figure, it was explained, could not be taken as the full cost of all areas purchased and acquired, as final payments had not been made in all purchases. Some were awaiting completion' of survey, ,etc. All compensation claims had not been completed. Mr Bennett commenting on the figures, said development, .stock and chattels, and seasonal expenditure totaled £2,692,000. The area on hand at December 31, 1946, was 321,050 acres in approximately 1080 units; the area anticipated to be settled during 1947 was 116,180 acres (290 units). Ex-ser-vicemen established by December 31 were: On wages, 224; on fixed charges, 4l£i; total 643.

Mr Bennett explained that the endeavour was to acquire grades of land on the 6-2-2 basis, six dairylands, two agricultural lands and two sheep lands. This was on the basis of the general trend of gradings of ex-servicemen. Of the 12,737 2156 B and 967 C.

These figures did not include men now graded -A who had previously been graded B. The total settled to date was 3396—643 settled on land, bought and subdivided and 2753 settled on single units purchased through the State Advances Corporation.