SOLDIER SETTLERS’ AFFAIRS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1923, Page 3

SOLDIER SETTLERS’ AFFAIRS.

ARREARS OF RATES. [by telegraph—pi-r press association.] WBI.IJX GTO X, Sept. 2!>. Local authorities throughout the Dominion have been exercised in their mind regarding the collection of arrears of rates from soldier settlers. One Council recently decided to remit all past rates of returned soldiers so that they could he placed on the same footing as the ordinary ratepayers and liable to the process fur future payments. Tilt: Attorney-General. Sir Francis Ball, in replying to an enquiry, indicated that the soldier settlers may he sued for rates, hut the execution of the billowing judgment could not he issued without his (Attorney-General’s) written consent, after receipt, of the recommendation from the Magistrate. Sir F. Rcll saitl that he would not give in advance any general consent to execution. Each case would fie considered on its merits.

The Acting-Minister of Lands states that as a result of a meeting of the Dominion Revaluation Board this week it was decided that the various land districts of the Dominion he allotted to district revaluation committees as follows: Wellington, Canterbury ant! Otago, three cadi: North Auckland. South Auckland, I’aranki, Nelson, and Southland. two each: Gisborne. Hawke’s Bay. Marlborough and Westkind. one cadi. Those committees will he allotted certain counties and work o, revaluation. The announcement of the personnel of the Committees will he made in a lew days, and it is hoped that a majority of the members of the Enquiry Boards that reported to the Government on the soldier settlers and their blocks will he available for this duty.