PROBLEMS OF SOLDIER SETTLERS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21416, 7 March 1935, Page 3

PROBLEMS OF SOLDIER SETTLERS

MORTGAGE LEGISLATION BEING WATCHED That the interests of the returned soldiers and any legislation which might affect them were being closely watched by the Dominion headquarters was a statement made by Mr E. F. Willcox, secretary to the Christchurch branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association. when commenting yesterday on the suggestion of Mr A. M. Samuel in the House that transference of returned soldier settlers' securities to the Mortgage Corporation might react to the disadvantage of the settlers. Mr Willcox said that the main problem of the returned soldier settler was the over-valuation of some of the higher-priced farming areas. It was known that the Dominion executive had discussed the legislation, Mr Willcox said, but the Canterbury association had not heard of any decision. The Government had shown itself willing to make all possible concessions where it was found that a man was a capable farmer. The whole difficulty lay in the failure of the Government to revalue some of the higher-priced areas. Some arrears and postponements of rents and interests were so high that they could never be paid off. As a personal opinion, Mr Willcox added that he would rather see the soldier mortgages under the direct supervision of a Government department than under the control of a semiprivate concern.