SELLING OUT SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2181, 25 September 1920, Page 3

SELLING OUT SOLDIER SETTLERS.

The disquieting feature of soldier sell lenient in (he way of soldiers acquiring the freehold to sell out at a profit, was referred to in the annual report of the Lands Department; and was raised in the House recently by Air E. Newman, who urged the Minister in charge of soldier settlement to prevent these lands falling into the hands of civilians. He knew there was a great temptation to sell the freehold at an enhanced price. Tie knew of a ease where file soldier could have sold at double the ( original price paid if he' could have been relieved of (he restriction. The- Hon. Mr Guthrie declared that Ihe Government's, policy was distinctly opposed to relumed soldiers selling oul their holdings. However, (here were cases where men, owing to infirmity, had not been able lo keep up their work on the land. Then they wore allowed to surrender their holding, with due allowance for the improvements he had effected, but Hie Department would not agree lo a transfer except lo a relumed soldier. They were discouraging the applications of soldiers to obtain Hie ..freehold with Hie object of soiling, because once the land got into the hands of civilians, it was relieved of Hie restrictions, which prevailed for ten years. The Minister added (hat he knew of eases where men had a good elm nee lo sell at a big profit, whieh, in one ease, would have been £(1,000, without the expenditure of a penny, hut he had slopped it at once. Air Alitchell; “Slop speculation by civilians also.”