SOLDIERS SETTLEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1921, Page 1

SOLDIERS SETTLEMENT

SUSPENSION (HE \MV A V ANNOUNCED By ||<>N. <;U*T.|HIK wins i.u, iri or.utotAs.

W KLLIXGTON. Nov. r. Tile suspension of the Soldiers Settlement Scheme was announced in the House to-day. by the Minister for Lunds. Hon Guthrie. The Gnv.'tnnient, he said, bad found a very l.irg,si llll of moyoy for the pm pose of assisting returned soldiers to settle upon the land and to provide bottles for themselves. The total amount authorised under these headings had been L'2l ,000.000. The amount that bad actually been raised bad been Cl9.dal 000, and to Hint sum had to bo added capital receipts etc., making the total sum available for advances to soldiers £20.010.000. Tbe Government bad made advances fo 20.100 men who bad received in all C 20.21-1.803. I'lm t motion is that L'21.000,000 bad lieen authorised an,] a sum of C* 1,3-18,000 lias not yet been raised, continued the Minister. It would be very difficult in this time of financial stress to raise the extra money. It would be qjmost impossible to do it.

Cabinet. after careful consideration, lias come to the conclusion that it will be much better for us to conserve the small amount of money now in band in order that wo may assist soldiers who arc already on the land, tatlc r than to place further men on land and thus im-rease tbe difficulties of tbe position. We have outstanding i-onimit-iiiont that represent a considerable *lllll. The credit balance of tbe Soblieis S' t iloiuein A, 1 u nit stands to-day at a little „\-,-|- L* IAI 1.000. We are holding thi*

. mall bain no, in order that we may help men w1.,1 are in difficulties. Men win have im! yet got their their home or land will have to wait for a short time null! tbe financial position eases off', ami He arc able to raise money tbat we have still authority to raise. ,\ : 1 Mitchell (Wellington SuciM:

Dues that mean you are cutting oil a |v alli es lor 1 hiding homes ? Hull (liitlni, • In the men mum . until w,. get ovei this liliain ini stress, vv 1 1 it'll is being experienced . . ryw I' l ''i'll would be very unwise. I think -• us to go on putting men upon Lin land when we have not money to sec 1 belli thime.di. Wln-n the advances He stopped temporarily no new applications will be dealt with until wc haw i-ime TuihK.

Mi- | * liotles (Thames) What will be 1 lie 1 lost I ii: u in regard to areas just selected. Will the men h* able to get a-sistanec. lion CnOiric Wc will carry Dnvugli jbe 1 ol that we have in mind at t!m present time. We are -aying to the remaining soldiers. "Your time is mil yet, but It will 1-111111'."

Mr .Mi trill'll Have you any idea how long they will have to be cut

H„n. Guthrie Can the bon. gentleman tell me when the financial position will improve. We are hoping that vo are on the upward grade alia ady. We hope to get back to the position where we can proceed as we have been proceeding in the past. Mr Poland Have you much c.nin- ; -. avaikib!" now for returned soldiers.

'pi,,, \jjnister added that there was an obligation ~n the Government to help men wlm bad already I,ecu placed I,pen farms. Further loans up to a maximum of t®o oaeh «etv Is'ing "ranted to soldiers who bad still ere. through tbe depression in wool ""d stock. Loans would be made in very tviii c jis<*s tu nssipt Iwlly soldiers nml T. R.