MINISTER OF LANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1925, Page 1

MINISTER OF LANDS

A PREDICTION. [by TEI.EC.HAmi —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] GERALDINE, -March 12. Moil Mr McLeod, Minister of Lands, addressed a largely attended meeting at Geraldine to-night, and was given a sympathetic hearing. ' Referring to soldier settlement, the Minister said the applications for revaluation numbered 5317. 1 liere had been determined 5019, and there still were to he determined 328. Reductions had been given in 1798 eases. The reductions made, in the capital value of leaseholds totalled .LT.-H5.i55. The reductions on mortgages under Section 2 were £003,270. The grand total of reductions was L2.019.02-i, and the total private mortgages owing hy soldiers affected £105,955. As a result of the Board’s negotiations, reductions amounting to £710,707 were secured. The Dominion Board had completed negotiations for the purchase of private mortgages totalling £31,522, which had been purchased at a discount ol £14,34-1.

The twenty-three district committees set up under the Act had completed their operations so far as field work was concerned.

Referring to proportional voting, the Minister said that, instead of serving to eliminate the evil of having more than two parties, it produced a multitude of parties, which ultimately would he a death'Mow to responsible government. . He dealt at considerable length with land matters, and announced that, in future, he intended to throw open lands for settlement to civilians and soldiers on equal terms. Many young men who would have gone to the war, had they not been too young were now in want of land, and should have it as a matter of fairness, and m view of the needs of the country for closer settlement, If New Zealand did not keep its exports up to fifty millions there would be trouble. It was hoped this year’s exports would touch the sixty' millions mark, but a drop in wool would- make this impossible The Minister roundly condemned as absolute piffle circulars recently issued by the Chambers of Commerce m which the Government is charged with Bolshevism and Socialism in agreeing to the compulsory dairy produce conti o . He did not belieie the circular represented five per cent, of the opinion of the business community, and it saiu little for the intelligence of those responsible for it. The Minister predicted that one party will have ceased to exist after, the next election, and declared that it would not be the Eeform Party. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Minister,