FORCED OFF

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1929, Page 7

FORCED OFF

RETURNED SOLDIER AND HIS FARM. LAND TOO HIGHLY VALUED. WELLINGTON, October 14. Tlie treatment of returned soldiers who got into difficulties with their payments to the Lands Department was tho subject of a brief discussion in tho House to-night, when the Lands Committee reported on the petition of a returned soldier, Norman Randal Al’Murtry, of Alarlborough, who prayed for relief from Lability in respect of lands at Kikawn Settlement, taken up by him under •the DViohai'ged Soldiers’ Settlement Act.

Tne committee recommended the petition to the Government for favourable consideration.

Air Healy, member for Wairau, who had presented the petition, explained that it was another case of a soldier who took up land too highly valued and failed to make a success. He bought at £2500, with stock, etc., at £B9O, and there was an advance of £3050 from the Government. Petitioner could not pay his way, and was obliged to walk off, when the land was sold for £1436, and ho was indebted to -the Government for the difference between that sum and the Government’s advances. The whole reason for failure was the high price of the land, and 'its real value was shown by the fact that adjoining country was being used for tree planting.

Several members expressed sympathy with M’Murtry, ' Mi: Mason (Auckland Suburbs) taking the crifL eale line that the Lands Department tormented soldiers who failed by following them up in regard to their debts, which put them in a hopeless position. The Hon. XT. M. Wilford, ActingLeader of the House, remarked that the discussion would have been of great interest to the Minister of Lands, but it was hardly fair to suggest of the present or the former Government that they tormented soldiers who failed on their sections. The returned soldiers of New Zealand had been treated better, than anywhere else in the world. It was difficult to sit still under such imputations, but he was glad to recognise that other members’ speeches had been helpful, and ho could assure them that the Government would not bo unmindful of any favourable recommendation and if 'it could ho carried out it would be done.