DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

BV TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT.

SOLDIER SETTLERS.

AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

GISBORNE, March 27

During a discussion with the Ardkoen soldier settlers the .Minister of Lauds (I lon. ,\. 1). .McLeod) made an important, announcement regarding his proposals to facilitate advances to soldier settlers. The Minister stated it was his intention to put into effect legislation providing lor the capitalization of the value of improvements made I>v the settlors with the object of relieving current accounts and enabling a Land Board to give further assistance in the matter of advances for stock, etc. This would ii'.ean that where money for advances was used for purposes which could rightly he classified as rn'iita expenditure, it could lie capitalized and repayment spread over a number of years. By this method advances would he available for stock and ordinary working expenses and the drain on the limited current account would not he so great.

SETTLERS IN TROFHLE. GISBORNE. March 27. The .Minister of Lands, Mr McLeod, received a deputation urging that a revaluation of hind and a reduction of rental he given, the settlers in the Waioika district. It was pointed out that many of the settlers could not carry on much longer under the present rireiiiiislaiu es. and as money had been advanced by the Advances to Settlers Department, both the Government and the settlers themselves would be losers if they walked olf the land. The .Minister in reply, stated that, he had arranged to vi-it the lucidity during his tour, and he renewed his promise to go into the whole question. The Minister leaves in the morning for the Coast, remaining until .Monday evening when he returns to Gisborne.