SOLDIER SETTLEMENT'S

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9853, 5 November 1924, Page 4

SOLDIER SETTLEMENT'S

FURTHER ASSISTANCE BY STATIC

PROVISIONS OF NEW BILL. WELLINGTON, Nov. 1. Tin 1 ; Hon. A. J). McLeod moved the second reading of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment BillProvision is made in the Hill by which the Dominion B.c-valuatiou Board is empowered to deal with any application for a re-valuation which is received 100 1 at oi, but. which was in <otir.-o of transit to the Dominion' Board within the. Lime prescribed. Provision is also made whereby the Dominion Boat'd can in case of mortgages given n.s security for improvements, block, etc., reduce the amount owing under the mortgage, end direct that m/y part of such mortgage can be transferred to the suspense account free of interest for aiiy period not exceeding three year's. Provision is made Wilvereby in cases of realisation of securities under power of sale, the Minister of Lands, on the recommendation of the Land Board, may write off such amount as represents the excels of the mortgage debt over the amount realised, and thus free the mortgagor from .any further liability under the personal covenants of Ins mortgage. Provision is made whereby the values of the buildings on settlement Ip.itd leased to discharged soldiers can bo reduced as from July 1, 3021 or from the date of leave whichever date is later. Power is given whereby discharged soldiers who hold email grazing run leases of Crown and settlement land can obtain extension's of their cases for any period nut exceeding ten years.

The lion. Buddo said there was not much in the Bill to which anyone could take exception, but lie objected to so many important Bills being brought down in the closing hours of the session l when members could not possibly study them all. Mr Rhodes (Thames)"also commended the Bill, but thought it might have gone a good deal further in its assistance to soldiers.

The Minister in reply said that to do as Mr. Rhodes desired would require further appropriations and there was in this, as in other cases, a difficulty about tbe money. The Bill was read a second time.—P.A.