SOLDIERS’ LANDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1923, Page 1

SOLDIERS’ LANDS.

REPORT NEARLY HEADY. i WELLINGTON. June 20 f

Tim .Minister of Education, the Hon (/. .J. Parr, who replied to the criticisms of the leader of the Opposition on the Address-in-Keply debate, made important, references to the work oi l]g. soldier settlements investigationI,minis and the aliunde of the Government regarding the difficulties of these settler-. Mr Parr slated Unit with one except ion all Cue hoards cad ropoi lcd. Their work had been extensive for tj K .y had to look into the individual conditions of hundreds of soldiers, and they had not umiitls delayed their reports. Legislation would in all probability he submitted within a few weeks dealing with the position. “There can lie no doubt, ’ added the Minister, “that buying hind at peak prices, as the soldiers did Members: The Government did. Mr Parr: Yes. we must lake our share of the responsibility. AVe were urged to do a fair thing for the hoys. We were told that the best land in New Zealand was net too good for those who had fought for us. Mr M ’ Keen : You did the hoys till ri^hl The Minister declared that whatever Gove rumen! had been in power would have been obliged to do the -rime. Tt would have been obliged to hut Ihe best land that could lie obtained, even though prices were high. Someone lmd suggested that the soldiers should l:r. placed in the baekhluoks, hut. as one of them had said to hint, “Me had enough mod in Flanders without, going into it in New Zealand. i lie Government, lie continued, most recognise that in -'em - of these cases there must undoubtedly he a reduction in the valuation. M'lint was going on in regard to many private businesses must happen in connection with soldiois. There must lie a readjustment of the po-dlcm. ami the soldier wTm was .in calmest and had proved that lie was a 11-vet" was going to get favourable consul.a at. ion from the Government. Mr Wiiford: The a lone not. Mr Purr: foil isfsu-torv provision will he made le deal with l lie-.- eases. Tli,.re i ail he no question Hint in regard to rent in arrears that rent must he written oil’ and the soldier nut in a posit ion to start alresli with some confidence that lie will he able to make good living on the land lie lias taken up.