SOLDIERS’ FARMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1924, Page 1

SOLDIERS’ FARMS.

VALUATION QUESTION. AUCKLAND. Aug. 11. A good deal of disappointment exists among soldier settlers over the result of the revaluation scheme. There are localities, notably those in which virgin laud was taken up by soldiers, where tlie Revaluation Hoard’s decisions have given satisfaction, and here and there in developed districts relief has been granted to individuals to an extent reasonably expected. 'Nevertheless there exists in soldier circles a very decided undercurrent <>f dissatisfaction.

It is somewhat difiiciilt to bring the matter into right focus, for two reasons. One, is the difficulty presented by the confirmed pessimist. who linhiiunlly complains. .More niton than not he is aliilietcd with "nerves.” a legacy of bis war service, and finds it difficult. in see much good in anything. The second reason is the difl'ideme of the men to state iullv theirj’iises on paper. These nervous disorders are fur more common among returned soldiers than is generally realise?!. Even though the men appear to he in sound health, "nerves” no doubt play a part ami allowance' must be made for tlie ellects of "nerves” in any review of the situat ion.

At. same' time, from in<|tiirics made in (ginrlcrs where the linaneial state of numbers ot soldier settlers is well-known, and where' personal knowledge' is possessed of the' men and their outlook, it appears that the complaints of lack of uniformity in revaluation judgments, mentioned in the House' of Representatives hy the memlv.’r for Patea. Air J. I!. Corrigan, are fairly common.

“Frankly.” said one soldier settler. •‘1 do not rather care much which way it goes. Rather than face more years of worry and uncertainty I often feel I si Pi ..i tbe* farm and lake a job. but somehow . I hate to ‘throw up the sponge’ as long as there is a chance. I like the life, and it likes me, lint, as matters now stand I cannot see daylight at all. I was a foul to buy at tlie price anil the Government was rallier a bigger fool in financing. MU', hut the point is this; Is my loss, and the loss of many more', to lie cut so little that we will he driven till’ and other men allowed to take it up practically at their own value? The error was made on a wholesale scale, and. even without considering the .soldiers’ waste'll years, it should lie rectified with seme degree of lioldness. The' Government seems to In' acting the part of a. soldier who has gone ‘over the top’ into a “thick alfair' and afterwards is afraid to try to consolidate the posi-

Thc mosj recent complaint that has come under the notice of the Returned Soldiers’ Association .relates to the eligibility of certain'valuers. The writer states that sometimes alter two mouthers of a commit lee visited his property. a third man arrived. This man. he states, had lieen one of the' valuers for the' Government during the buying Inii>tn. and although he hail not valued this particular property for purchase purposes. Im had acted as a valuer in the -.•inn* distric t in regard to tin' same class in land. It is t In* ret tiers’ opinion that the' Dominion Revaluation Hoard .should he asked that in cases where a second valuation i- necessary valuers should have hail absolutely no previous connection with soldier .settlement.