SECTIONS FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2680, 28 January 1916, Page 3

SECTIONS FOR SOLDIERS

GRANT MADE BY LAND BOARD. Several soldiers have applied to the Wellington Land Board for sections under the provisions of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, 1915, and die matter was before, the board at the monthly meeting yesterday. The Commissioner (Mr. G. H. M'Clure) said that in every case'where a soldier inquired for land he (the Commissioner) wrote and gave full particulars of tlio land available, livery soldier thus applying was asked to say what class of land he would like, and if possible to name a particular section, and to state his financial position and to forward bis discharge. Then the would recommend that a suitable section.,he proclaimed under the Act. Mr. 'J. Georgetti-. What about the soldier with no' money ? :

The Commissioner read the provisions of the Act, which, however, did not ■appear to help the penniless returned soldier. . ]

•Mr. Georgetti said it seemed that those who had no money would get 110 land. ]t was quite safe to say-.that five out of six who came back would bo without meaus.

The Commissionerln my ■ opinion every discharged soldier ought to be very liberally treated. Every fighter desirous of land should be given a section to the exclusion of the man who can fight but stays at home. : Mr. Georgetti declared that a man who' came back without money might have fought as well and even better than til© soldier well placed financially. If so, the man without means was 'deserving of assistance. They were'lucky if they came back with their lives, and they should not be allowed to die in the workhouse ■as some had''donein the past. We did not want any of, our New Zealand boys to die like that.

Mr. H. T. Ellingliam considered that they were not only entitled" to land, hut that tlie board, should find them good land. . Other members agreed with this,- and favoured prompt action in all cases where applications were in order. The difficulty would be that the land available was very limited. ■ . , Subsequently it was decided to-recom-' mend that Section 41, Block VI,, Hunua Survey District, be proclaimed underthe Act, and granted to N. A. ICopke, of the Main Expeditionary Force.. The applicant was discharged, owing to a wound, in the foot. The matter of financial assistance was left with the Commissioner. ■ , ,

Twelve other applications could not be dealt with finally, as full particulars had not been furnished in' some cases, and discharges bad not been produced in others. .