LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 167, 10 April 1920, Page 7

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Sir,—We wonder why our esteemed Prinv3 Minister, who advocates land for soldiers, does not com* . the unsatisfactory Government valuations, vrlucii have 'barred so many from obtaining land through the Government. Personally this has affected me in- m.v ease no less'than on two separate occasion's, and. in 0110 particular case the Government valuation was disputed by two reliable private valuators, who valued the same farm at an advance of 50 per cent, on t.ha Government valuation which had not risen for the past. 15 years—a thing which you must admit is perfectly scandalous. \ , .. I can quote another case where a discharged soldier applied , for a farm> .which was selling at =£65 per acre. 1 his application was not granted, its reiusiu, [join" on the grounds that the land was too high in price. Some months later, however, another discharged soldier appli*l for this farm (not knowing that application had been mad© for this same farm previously), and by this time tuat same tarm offered at 01 rate of «&> per aero abovo the price quoted tlie previoas soldier applicant, and at this figure of <£70 per acre this farm was puichased for the second soldier "ippl}; cant, notwithstanding the fact tliat.it was refused the first soldier applicant at XG3 per acrc. Wo are. told that the Government are keeping down the Government valuations for the protection of the soldier settlers, but in 60 many eases we bear of soldiers who cfinnot get satisfaction bccause the Government valuations have-not risen in gome places fo v •lOtwitlisfcaiul" ing the fact that the land, like everything else, has gone up, and is still "going up." Could we not persuade our esteemed Primi Minister to think this matter over, as foodstuffs are still likely to go up, and our toldier settlers 'Kill bo able to sell their products at the advanced prices provided, of course, they are given a chance to purchase the. laud at a reasonable advance iu price. . Hoping the solution of this problem, "•'ill draw more soldier settlers to form the important backbone, of New Zearind. Wo also hope that this -letter will crea'e further interest and discussion, amongst other soldiers still hoping to settle on the laud—l am, oto., WAITING TO BE A DIGGEII OF THE SOIL.