REPATRIATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4802, 26 January 1925, Page 2

REPATRIATION.

SOLDIERS’ LAND REVALUATION. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. Much interesting information was given by the Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister for Lauds, at a complimentary supper tendered to him by the local bodies of tlie district at Tnamcs on Saturday'evening.

Replying to the toast of “Our Guest,” the Minister said that he was • very gratified with the receptions ac- t corded him all along his route. He had heard of the Hauraki Plains, and was sure it had been known to all his predecessors, (Laughter.) As a farmer, he would say that while the men who discovered the Thames goldfields may be applauded, the man who discovered the Hauraki Plains « in the Piako swamp had done more. I It was well known what wonderful resuits were being obtained in other 3 . countries from- land reclaimed from . the sea. and when it was realised that £3 of £4 of exportable wealth would be obtained from every acre foi* all time Ihe greatness of this source of ; wealth could be realised.

Mr McLeod said that he was bora l>52 years ago, and had to ride 10 miles to school. He had lived in the back- s blocks, and his children had had to ride Id miles to school, so he could sympathise with back-block settlers. Having served on every kind of local body before entering Parliament, he had entered upon’Cabinet rank well knowing the nature ofi his duties. The Government had to handle the finances in such a way that the capt-- . ; : tai bonowed was handled iu what the . taxpayer considered a fair manner, ; and also what the lender considered ■ fair. Much development work had yet to be done, and the Government had a continual fight to help one section over its initial stage. When that section reached a stage of prosperity it was time to consider those not no fortunate.

The Lands Department, said the Minister, was now one of the greatest department in the State. At one time it was noly a survey department, but now it was a huge commercial concern, with over 50 millions of the people's money invested. Thirtythree thousand settlers looked to the Crown- for assistance to get on their feet.. The work of the department had ireleased rapidly, and in connection with the soldier settlers it had quadrupled, so the department was now very much understaffed. Many mistakes had been made by the Department, but he would say that New ' Zealand was going to get out of the cost or the repatriation of its soldiers at a less cost than any other dominion in the Empire, and in a more efficient manner,'so that none of the soldiers would be made into loafers. The total amounts involved in the repatriation oFNew Zealand soldiers tip to Marell 31, under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, stated the Minister, were as follows: Advances for purchase of stock and for ' improvemnets, £4,604,266; advances to assist soldiers to acquire rural holdings, and discharge mortgages, £8,932,796 ; advances- for purpose of erecting .town dwellings, £8,593,517 ; total, £22,132,579. Under the Land for Settlement Act estates with an approximate capital value of £5,950,000 had been purchased for discharged soldier settlement. Under the Repatriation Act 6410 loans for businesses totalled £1,183,136; 16283 loans f or furniture, £772,126 ; 1123 cases of unemployment sustenance, £5677 ; 7553 cases of training sustenance, £398,009; and 3498 transportations, £7634. The total under that heading was £2,366 - 482, and the total amount involved in repatriations was £30,449,£61. In regard to revaluation, the Minister said that as a private member he had strenuously advocated revaluation, and now was not afraid to > stand anywhere to justify every step the Government had made. As far as he was able to judge, the soldier valuations were now standing five, ten, fifteen, and even"twenty per cent, below that of the civilians on the adjoining sections. When soldiers were treated thus it could not ne said tnat they were not being treated fairly. Hundreds of letters had been received ; by the department from gratified soldiesr. Up to Christmas the Dominion r* Revaluation Board had received 5347 applications for revaluation; 4467 cases, or 83.3 per cent, had been finally determined, and only 880 yet re- a . mained to be done, In 4272 cases the , total reductions amounted to £1,757,-. 287. The board had negotiated with private mortgagees and unsecured creditors bringing about a reduction of £62,820. In addition the board had completed negotiations for the purchase of private mortgages totalling. . £23,504, gaining a discount of £10.736, tlie actual price paid being £12,768. Of the 23 district committees set up under the provisions of the Act, 17 have completed operations and the remaindei anticipate finishing very shortly. ■