EX-SERVICE MEN ON THE LAND

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 231, 24 June 1919, Page 3

EX-SERVICE MEN ON THE LAND

o TWENTY MILLIONS TO BE ALLOCATED BRITISH GOVERNMENT BILL The British Government's measure .'for facilitating tho settlement of ex-soldiers and sailors, is described by the "M.orni.ig Post" a.s the longest Ministerial Bill of the session, containing thirty clauscs ai.d four schedules. The lirst part has to do with 'the acquisition oi land. For two years orders made by a county council under the Small Ittldingo Act uf ISOB need not be submitted to, or confirmed by, the Board of Agriculture. AViien an order for compulsory purchase has been duly made, the council may. aft«f\ four- • teen days' notice, take possession of the land without waiting for compliance with riis Lands Clauses Consolidation Act. though the liability to compensate is not affected by the fact ot possession; and' the same provision applies to land compulsotily hired. If a county, council is neglectful of its powers to acquire land for small holdings, or for lease to parish councils for allotments, then the Board of Agriculture shall—during the same two years—step in and exercise those powers. The board, with the assent of tho Treasury, can, also for two year?, purchase or hire land for reclamation or drainage; as also for the setting up of small-holding colonies. In the selection of persons to be settled on these colonies who have for six months or longer been in whole time enijjloyinont on agricultural work, shall have the same preference 'as is to be given under the Bill to men who have served in the forces during the present war. Small Holdings—New Style. Part II makes importaut extensions, financial and other, in the Act of IMS. The purchasing council may pay for the land by annuities, and may in this way buy Crown lands and those belonging to the Royal Duchies. One of the schedules lays down regulations for these annuities, which are to be a charge on ;lio borough-.or county rate, as the case ;nay be, and are made trustee investments. From the first of this jcar until March 31. 1926. the purchasiug council shall not, unless with the-con-sent of the Board of Agriculture, buy, except at such a prie'e as in the opinion of the council, will allow all expeuses incurred to be recouped out of the put'* chase money or rent to be obtained. This selling or renting must be "at the best price or sum that can reasonably be obtained," and subject to a reservation of all "minerals vested in the council, though for special reasons the hoard may permit this inhibition to" be suspended. Land sold up to April liKti, lor small holdings, shall be at such n price as will recoup all the expenses to which the council has been put; Mid oil this basis the council may give to the tenant an option to purchase. Any improvements by the/ tenant are not to be taken into account in estimating the price. * It is eipressly laid-down the.t a council, when selling or letting a smail holding at any time before the expiration of two years after the passing of this Act, shall give preference, to men who_ h.tvo served in the Forces of the Crown in present war and to women who are certified by the board to have been engaged in whole-time employment.on agricultural work tor a period of nor less than six months during the present war. ' Councils are given greater power - to deal with acquired lands. They may themselves, or "by arrangoment with the tenant, erect, repair, or improve dwelling houift-i and other buildjngs or "execute any other improvement on or in connection wiin aim for the benefit of" tlio land; sell or let.(with the consent of the board) or exchange innd or'their interest in it; appropriate for small holdings land held for other purposes or vica vc-i'."!'; and "generally to -.manage any'-, land" acquired under the Act of 1903. The provisions of the Land Clauses Consolidation Act are' not to apply to the sale of superfluous land. After March 31, 1926, the consent of the board will liot ordinarily be acquired for ."the acquisition, salt;, exchange, letting,. improvement, or management of iaud" by a county council acquired under that Act. ', , The Twenty Millions Loan. For two years the Treasury is empowered to lend out of the Consolidated Fund,sums not exceeding in ths aggregate i1i0,000,000, which will be nicl out of that fund, and not out of tl.a Local Loans .Fund. 1 But the Puljliv Works Loans Commissioners may lend to a county council any money which the council'is authorised to borrow on such terms as are prescribed by the Treasury, The period of repayment for these loans is extended from fifty to sixty years. In spite of section 41 of the Act ol 1!K)8 a- council may with .the express permission of the board acquire compulsoiv ily:'(l) Land forming part of any park or home farm if the land is not required , for t the amenity or convenience. of the mansion house, and (2) holdings of fifty acres or iess or any part of such holding. A council may also acquire land for leasing to a parish council for allotments. Subiect to .Treasury regulations a county council may make loam to the tenants of small holdings for "the purchase of live stock, seeds, fertilisers and implements," and tho Board of Agriculture is to have similar powers in relation v to its own tenants. Bv another clause a small holding may be' provided if it exceeds half an acre and has a cottage. The expenses of this class of holding ore to be separately accounted for, and treated ns if thev were incurred under the Bousing of the Working Classes Act, 1890; and the local authorities in which these holdings are situated- may contribute towards the expenses of the county council. Borough, urban, district, or parish councils are empowered to purchase seeds, plants, fertilisers, or implements for allotments cultivated as gardens, ami to sell them at cost price to the cultivators, whether they be tenants of these bodies or of the county council. So iar as London is concerned, the county council may hand over its powers concerninp allotments to the borough councils with the approval of the Local Government Board. Recoupment of Losses. At the end of tho financial year terminating on March 31, 192(1, 'and for six years thereafter, the Board of Agriculture is to pay to a county council any has been "reasonably or necessarily incurred," as well as any such losses from January 1, 1908, to March 31, 1919. There is to be a valuation of all small-holdings land held by county councils on April 1, 192(1, and the total liabilities of the councils in respeot of them, and if the latter exceed the former, the Board of Agricul-, ture will pay to each council "such part Of the interest and sinking fund charges payable in respect of the money borrowed" as is proportionate to ilic amount of the excess. County councils must, and county borough councils may, constitute agricultural' committees for their areas, <.n schemes to he approved by ihe board, and the councils shall 6eek the advice of. these committees before talcing action about small holdings, allotments, destructive insects and pests, diseases of animals, fertilisers, and feeding stuffs, and land drainage,' as well as matters relating to agricultural education if the boards of agriculture and education agree. On these -oommittec-s the appointing council shall have a majority, and the Board of Agriculture one-third of the .members, women being appointed as well as men. Among other duties of these committees are to make inquiries and report to tho board with a view to "formulating schemes for the development of rural industries and social I'l'e in rural places, and for the co-ordina:.iou of action by local; authorities and other bodies by which such development n ay be effected." The Bill applies to England and Wales. Scotland will have separate legislation. Are you thinking of a winter hat for your little lad? See our smart tweeds, 2s. 6d. to 3s. lid. Felts from 3s. Gd. to 9s. 6d. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners St.— Advt. Ladies are advised to send their Furs to a really Qualified Furrier for Eeniodelling. Our Fur Department is in the hands of an experienced Continental Furrier. Fur Coats remodelled and relined with special Fur Coat Satin; guaranteed for 2 seasons. Coleman, Ladies' Tailor and Furrier, 231 Lambton Quay.— Advt.