SOLDIER SETTLERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 289, 2 September 1919, Page 5

SOLDIER SETTLERS

NEED FOR SPEEDING UP. ■ (To the Editor.) Sir,—The Prime 'Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) explained the position witli regard to settling returned soldiers on the laud in your paper of Aug- j ust 22. Sir. Massev was very careful to say tint some of the unimproved land is unfit for soldiers, and more or less made use of the fact as an excuse for the slow progress matle. Torinit we to tell Mi\ Massey the Government principle is rotten to thn core, especially with purchase of freehold land, and never will bo otherwise until a different method is adopted. Lot me suggest ft n-ay that would give much more satisfaction. Have a board of three men; let then), together with the applicant, inspect the property and decide there and then. (Three months' option i? no good to anybody.) It would only taks ail experienced' man two minutes to find out what the applicant knows about farming. A man with knowledge (everyone will agree) should bi allowed a freer hand and more money. It is all very well, to publish figures showing how many returned soldiers havo been settled and what linS 'bfen done for them, but never a word of the volumes that could bo printed of that which has not been done. Firstly; how many soldiers applying for freehold land have been turned down, compared with those settled? At the same time compare the turned down price with the price the Government has paid for largtr states and cut them up'for returned soldiers. It is nice to be a station owner, probably with a little influence (never mind tho soldier without a stake in tho country who fought for him). Hero are a few questions that Mr. Mafeey mav be able to give a satisfactory answer to: What is the use of ft land board when they arc tied hand and foot to one opinion, that of the valutor, and can only recommend, and turn down according to liis figures? Any fool could do that. Many valuators arc uothinjt'more or less than survey chainmen. What does a ehaiiiinan know about valuating.land? - The"; very fact Hiat valuation# are secret will explain. If a valuator does not know his work there is no reason why tho Government s'hoivd keep it dark, aild save him from crticism. By so doiritr it is only the soldiers that suffer. Publish the valuation, or at least inform the aoDlic.ant. If this were done the chances "are that some valuators would either resign or be requested to d.) so. No man should valuate _ for returned soldiers or -anybody else if he. is not game to 'produce his figures and prove them fo lie frithin renson. With regard to returned soldier settlement, there should be nothing secret. We all know that secrecy is maintained only to save the ofiicink Blame the understudy is an old, old saying. Much of the 'delay occurs in Wellington after the Land Board sees that'the valuators valuation is within range of the money apulied ' for. Will Mr. Massey please note, what he apparently does not realise: Land is worth what, can bo taken off it.-l am, ctc„ . mEmTm