SOLDIERS’ FORFEITED HOLDINGS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 55, 28 November 1921, Page 3

SOLDIERS’ FORFEITED HOLDINGS

WILL PROBABLY GO ON OPEN MARKET. "A certain number of soldier settlers fail to meet their obligations and either abandon their farms or have their leases forfeited,” states tho annual report on, discharged soldiers’ settlement. “When it happens that the selector relinquishes the holding allotted to him, on which advances have been, made under the Act, it is necessary to place a new tenant in possession as soon as possible, in order that the buildings and improvements may not deteriorate, that returns may bo obtained from the holdings, and that accruing rent and interest on advances may be duly met. It times the case i'hat an eligible discharged soldier cannot be fmj?d to ,^ ke ? vcr his predecessor’s liabilities, although a Civilian may bo willing and able to take the property, and would probably make good’ if, permitted to do so. This is prohibited by the terms of the Dischargee Soldiers’ Settlement Act and mortgage thereunder; but, as it is of primary importance that all land should be kept in u productive condition, and that the Crown’s advances should be it is in contemplation to am.vM the Act. so as to provide that when land subject to the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act has reverted to the Crown, it may be disposed of to a suitable applicant in the open market, subject to the mortgage at an increased rate of interest, when it is impracticable to obtain a discharged soldier for that purpose Every care would, however, be taken to dispose of the land under the present provisions of the Act before steps were taken under the proposed amendment It may be mentioned that a recent conference of Commissioners of Crown lands was unanimously in favour of action being taken as indicated, above.