LAND FOR DISCHARGED

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 176, 21 April 1919, Page 5

LAND FOR DISCHARGED

;V THE BRITISH BILL THREE CLASSES OF HOLDINGS By Telcgra'ph-Presa Association—Copyright London) April U. Colonel Sir A: L. Boscawen, Parliameutary Secretary to-the Board of, Agriculture, in moving the second reading ot the Land Settlement Facilities Bill, said that tho Bill fulfilled the Ministerial pledge to provide land for discharged soldiers. ■ The Government would subsidise pound for pound of each man's capital. The Government had bought aboui 20,01)0 acres, to-be cut up.into small holdings. There would be threo' categories, vaiyiug from half an acre of land to fifty acres. The first would consist of farm colonies, enabling the holder to gradually increase the size of a small self-supporting, plot; the second of a-cot-tage and a holding of three acres for men in employment on the land; the third of a whole-time holding of 20 to 30 acres for., small mixed or dairy farms, or 5 to 11 acres foV fruit or vegetable farms. Applicants would be given the opportunity, with certain limitations, to purchase after seven years at the then value. Equal facilities would be open to women who had had six montlfe' experience on tho. land. ■ . ■

Several members appealed for permanency of tenure for war-time allotment holders who had grown vegetables on 1000 acres of park or wasto lands. Sir Newton Moore urged the establishment of an Agricultural Bank, which would be more helpful to new settlers than the local banks. The Government should advise men who desire to take up land in the Dominions where there were large areas available. The Bill was read a second time.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.