SOLDIER SETTLEMENT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 129, 29 February 1928, Page 10

SOLDIER SETTLEMENT

MINISTER AND MEMBER DETAILS OF AN OFFER Mr. E. A. Ransom, M.P., having acquiesced in the Hon. A. D. McLeod’s suggestion that the figures in connection with the offer to die Government of the Hakawai property for soldier settlement purposes be made public, the Minister yesterday made a statement on the matter to a representative of The Dominion. "Before dealing with the matter immediately at issue,” said Mr. McLeod, "1 would like to refer to another aspect of Mr. Ransom’s criticism. Speaking at Whangarei on February 10, he told his audience that he had i-rought before me, as Minister of Lands, a proposal whereby loans could be made to settlers which would enable them to clear their farms of scrub, etc., and at the same time provide relief for unemployed, and that my reply had been that such a proposal would become too popular. “When I was speaking at Te Awamutu a few days ago I characterised this statement of Mr. Ransom’s as being incorrect, and used only lor the purpose of discrediting me in the eyes of country settlers; but that if Be (Mr. Ransom) could show me that I had made even a colourable approach to such a reply it would be mv duty to apologise to him. The Hakawai Offer. "Then, after referring to the continuous attacks being made by Mr. Ransom and those associated with him in regard to the prices paid for soldier settlement lands by a Government which had the taxing values before it, I mentioned that he himself had offered land to the Government for the same purpose at a price considerably in excess of the taxing value. This he now takes exception to, and refers to as being half a truth tending to injure him more than the whole truth. As I have no desire to do any man an injury, either politically or personally, I now most gladly give the whole truth he asks for. “hi March, 1920, Mr. Ransom offered his ‘Hakawai’ area, of 655 acres at £45 per acre. The Government roll value of the area at the time of the offer was £lB 15s. per acre. It is only fair to Mr. Ransom to say, however, that some fifteen months later (in July, 1921) he re-offered the same land to the Crown at £35 per acre, but as soldier purchasers had then practically ceased, no further negotiations were made. “ ‘Glengarry’ was purchased in October, 1919, the area being a little under 2000 acres, and the price paid, £36 per acre. The Government roll valuation of ‘Glengarry’ at the time of the purchase was £2O 12s. per acre. Te Wera Purchase. “Mv reply to Mr. Ransom’s statement in regard to ‘Te Wera,’ and my ■supposed observations thereon, can wait until another time and place, as also can his reference to the Government slogan at last general election, and his statements to the effect that there are 9000 less workers on the land than at last census, and to 10,000 immigrants per vear, as they are all incorrect. "Howver, let me say in conclusion, as bearing on the present controversy that the member for Pahiatua says that the area he sold is well worth £52 10s. per acre. Of that lamin no position to judge. I hope it is. In any case there would appear to be a goodly number in the farm areas around Dannevirke who, judging by the number M protests I am receiving, are of opinion that Government roll valuations are far too high. Perhaps Mr. Ransom will be able to assist me in the event of mv getting into argument with his electors as to what are fair Government and local bodv taxing values.”