SETTLING SOLDIERS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1927, Page 3

SETTLING SOLDIERS

LOSSES TO DATE. Including tlie loss on last year’s operations, the total loss on the revenue account since the inception ot the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act was 6i .160,3.37, according to the annual report of the Lands Department presented to Parliament yesterday, i lie amount mentioned incorporated losses on real’isiuion, remissions and rebates amounting to 6699,760. Tlie report states that to help the soldiers, advances authorised during the year totalled 61.37,5661, made up as follow: On account, 693.367; purchase of farms, market gardens, orchards and discharge of mortgages, 67222; erection of dwellings, etc., 637.972. ” It is felt,” adds the report, “ that the time lias now arrived when many settlers .should, in a greater degree than hitherto, co-operate with the Delartiuent in the development ot their properties. There is ample evidence that many expect the Department to provide the whole of the finance necessary for this purpose, but this spirit of leptndence cannot he fostered. Where

'arms have been developed to a paying point with capital provided by.the Department. settlors are expected to shoulder the burden of further development out of arm revenues and to create equities in their own interests. Advances on current account, both as retards i’oans authorised and actually paid out. show a decrease as compared with the previous year, indicating tlia> a number of properties have reached a. point that enables the settlors to carryout additional development work without further encuinliering their properties.

“ A matter which is causing some concern is the failure of many settlers to maintain pastures in a proper- manner. The Department is continually being requested to provide finance for manures and top-dressing of pastures. While it is sometimes necessary to acede to such requests in order to preserve the securities for former advances and ensure more profitable farming, in the future the Department will not provide further capital of this nature unless it is fully satisfied that the revenues are not at present stiffiient for the purpose, and the settler’s business and farming methods ensure success. A condition will also be made that tlie Department control wholly or partially the farm revenues from which subsequent payments are made for topdressing. The growing of green crops for stock and fattening purposes should receive every attention. Settlers should recognise that, compared with the general run of farmers, they are being assisted at a very cheap rate.