LAND SETTLEMENT FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 199, 18 May 1920, Page 6

LAND SETTLEMENT FOR SOLDIERS

ACTIONS OF N.Z. .RETURNED SOL- 1 . DIEKS' ASSOCIATION.

A deputation from the Standi Subcommittee of the New Zealand Returncd Soldiers' Association's Executive accontained by the chairman of the association's Land Committee (Mr. G. Mitchell, M.P.), waited upon the Minister of Lands yesterday afternoon regarding: the closing down of advances under Section 2 of i the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act.

The aim of the deputation was to obtain some assurance that applications 1 would be received upon production of • documentary' evidence that genuine con-. tracts, for the, purchase of properties,'. had been entered into prior to the sud- j den notification of the suspension of advances. The Minister was unable to give ; this assurance stating that he could not commit the Government and that the matter would be,considered by Parliament as soon as possible after the opeiv ing of the forthcoming session.

The deputation offered to place specific cases of men who had, in good faith, entered into contracts on the assumption that the Government loan would ■ be forthcoming, and asked that these cases be received by the Commissioners of Crown Lands and dealt with on their merits. The Minister detailed the , amounts of money that had, been ex-; Dended during the past twelve mouths en . house property alon.e and also'explained the amount now availablo to (meet all obligations until a further" loan .\yas made available.

The association eubmits that the_ Government, in closing, down, practically with no notification, lias placed many, hundreds of ex-soldiers and nlso members' of the general .public in very embarrassing positions and intends pursuing the matter until a more satisfactory arrangement is made.

v.With .this end ,in view the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association intends circularising its local branches/ throughout the Dominion, for particulars of cases where genuine contracts have been entered into prior to, or within, say, -a'week, of the Minister's statement notifying the suspension or "slackening' of the advances. These cases, when in hand, will be presented before the Minister at the earliest opportunity. The whole.question of land settlement is being considered by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers', Association and tho ■ executive has asked that a meeting bo arranged with Cabinet at an early date.