SOLDIERS’ SETTLEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1920, Page 1

SOLDIERS’ SETTLEMENT

COMPULSORY CLAUSES REFERRED TO. (Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 8. The House had a long night on the Soldiers’ Settlement Loan Bill. Mr Massey stated that this six million loan would be the last loan subject to com-' pulsory provisions. It was really a war loan since all the money was required for Soldiers’ Settlement. He considered that compulsion was only justified for war purposes.

Mr Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) who followed, blamed the Government for not using compulsory powers in the purchase of land for soldiers. The Government had paid very high prices for land, but had made no use of the compulsory powers taken by the Massey Government in 1915. Mr Wilford- referred to the wide fertile acres owned by a few people in Wairarapa. Mr Massey interjected that this suggestion was most unfair. The Government’s taxation .made it unprofitable for land monopoly of the kind suggested to continue.

The Minister for Lands told the House about the Government’s repatriation effort. He said over 7,000 men had been placed on land and another 7000 in homes. The land now awaiting settlement by soldiers amounted to 764, 000 acres. The Government since 1915 had put more men on the land than in the, previous twenty years. It had bought land by negotiation cheaper than would have been possible ' under compulsion. The debate' was continued by other members. Many speakers evidently were disposed to believe that difficulties might he caused in the future by a declaration in value of the produce of the country. Members generally agreed that compulsory purchase would not be in the interests of soldiers since the owners would be sure to get the full market price, plus some consideration for disturbance. . Mr Massey replying after mid-mght, stated that compulsory purchase of the Flaxbourne estate had cost fifty thousand pounds. The truth was that the most fertile districts were already closely settled. The large estates remaining were not generally suitable tor small sub-division. The Bill was passed.