SOLDIER SETTLERS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1922, Page 2

SOLDIER SETTLERS

CAUSES OF THEIR FAILURE

AUCKLAND, March 8. Strong criticism of the settlement of soldiers under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, to its detriment, was made in the report of a special subcommittee to the executive of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association.

The chief points stressed had to do chiefly with over-priced land, lack of supervision, with a recommendation that the communal basis should be introduced in respect to the settlement of lands by new farmers, thereby giving relief to uneiiiploymerit. ABANDONED PROPERTIES.

The report, after dealing with the conditions of purchase by soldiers of soldiers’ homes suggested that where such properties bad been abandoned the policy of the first loss being the least loss should he adopted and the properties transferred to new applicants at revaluation, the loss, if any. to be borne by the Crown. In view of the greater cost under the 10 per cent, profit basis it was suggested that all buildings erected under tile Act should be built by contract. The next portion of the report dealt with failures in connection with farmers, many properties having been abandoned, a,nd the contention was put forward that the position was entirely the fault of the Government, because many incompetent and i (experienced men bad lieen allowed to take on farms.

“GROSSLY UNFAIR.” The present condition under which Hew applicants could take over abandoned properties was g' 1 ”- : v nnlair. the report asserted, “in almost evfeiV case a large sum being owing to the board for arrears, and the stock having depreciated in value.” n>o\etal other similar contentions wore P«t forward. The suggestion in tins connection was that the only but and equitable way to deal with the abandoned properties was for the Crown to suffer the first loss and resell to new applicants at a r<- ralu i-ti >n of harm, stock, and Imn'emonts. The feport went bn to deal With the settlement of farm lands by new farmers, whether soldiers, or civilians and advocated the purchase of good unimproved land in large blocks, and the starting of new settlements on a communal basis. ( The sub-committee contended that this scheme should have been adopted by the Government five years ago, and stressed the fact tlipjt it was not now too late, because there were many men at present un- ; employed, both "soldiers and civilians, ' who would eagerly accept such an opportunity. LOANS FOR BUILDING. ! The report was adopted, the meet- ' ing strongly approving the principle that where Land Boards bad recommended loans for tlie building of houses and the consent of the Minister had beeit refused because of the stoppage of payments under the Act the Government should grant such loans. It was agreed, however, that ■ advances should only be made where ; the soldier bad a. contract with a , builder, bo loan to be approved for I building on the 10 per cen. basis. The suggestions with regard to farm lands were also approved. It was decided to forward copies of the resolutions to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers, and to wait j upon the various Ministers on their next visits to Auckland.