POLITICAL NOTES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2769, 12 May 1916, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

THE SCHEME EXTENDED i The Government's Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Amendment Bill, which was introduced in ihe House of ltppresentatives yesterday by Governor's Mossago, extends the provisions of tho Act passed last year to residents of the Dominion who have served,with forces other lhan tho Now Zealand Expeditionary Forces in the present war, subject to {ho Land Lpard of the district being satisfied that applicants are, and -were immediately prior to the commencement of the present war, bona fide residents of New Zealand. Residence in the Dominion shal] not be deemed to be affected by reason of temporary absence if applicants,satisfy the Board that during such absence they had a # fixed intention of returning to reside in New Zealand. J-ho provisions of tho principal Act in regard to financial assistanco to discharged soldiers is extended to all discharged soldiers, who may take up Crown land leases otherwise than pursuant to tho special tenure conditions of the principal Act. It is provided that land required for. the settlement of discharged soldiers may bo taken under the Public Works Act. /

■ The Minister of Finance is <to be given power to raiso loiins ' not exceeding -£500,000 for the purpose of settling discharged soldiers, at a rate of interest not exceeding five per cent. The whole or any portion of any compensation payable in respeot of-land taken for .the purposes of the principal Act may at the option of the Minister of Finance be paid in Government debentures bearing interest at tho rate of five per cent., holders of such debentures to ba exempt from ii> come tax in respect of income derived therefrom. 4 A PERSONAL ATTACK. MB. WILFORD'S IDEAS. The Minister of Defence yesterday had to_ listen to a request from Mr. T. M. Wilfoivl that he should resign his portfolio and take some other position.in the Cabinet. Mr. Wilford led up to his proposal by stating that since tlib ivar began Russia had cnanged her Ministry three, times, Austria . five times, Greece three times, France three times, while Britain had not hesitated to ask some of her. Ministers to go even after the formation of a National Ministry. Why should New Zealand be afraid of a change? He had no hesitation in saying that the Minister of Defence at the present time was the greatest barrier to recruiting, in New Zealand. (Hear, hear, from "several quarters.) ■

"I believe," declared Mr.' Wilford, "that the Minister is the hardest worker in this'country., No Minister works more patiently or more readily, but he has no soul and ng heart. He is a man with a big opportunity . who , has failed. The fate of the Empire and the Dominion doeo not depend upon keoping any one member in office. I make this suggestion: Let the Minister of Defence drop his portfolio and take any other. Let him appoint any other member from the Prime Minister's side in order to keep the' equation right. The Minister of Defence is ont of touch with public opinion —he is not Tn touch with public views— he is a hard-hearted man "

Mr. Massey here rose, nnd asked Mr. Speaker if this personal attack was in order upon the motion for tho introduction of a Pent Bill. (Mr. Payne's Rent Bill was before the House.) The Speaker intimated that the hon. gentleman was getting away from the subject, and Mr. Wilford closed the intident by remarking, "I how to your ruling," and resuming bis 6eat.