SOLDIERS ON THE LAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10285, 21 May 1919, Page 5

SOLDIERS ON THE LAND

GRIEVANCES AIRED BY DEPUTATION.

Press Association,

DANNBVIKKE, May 20. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister for Lands, visited Takapau last evening, and heard representatives of the Patriotic Society and soldier settlers relative to grievances and to assistance required by those on the Otawhiao, Watea, and Marakeke settlements. Regarding Otawbao a water supply was the chief requirement, while in respect to Waiea complaint was made that the sections were too small. They were entirely unsuitable' I for dairying, and not big enough for anything else. Bequests were made for an increased Government grant up to £750, for remission and roduction of rent, also for alteration in the tenure to giv©.soldiers the.same facilities b. 3 civilian settlers in selling out their goodwill. The Minister, in a sympathetic reply, promised to give all the representations careful consideration, pointing out that the Government wqs trying to give the men a start, and was not aiming at making them full-fledged farmers at the outsot. He promised to consider increasing the size of Watea sections and to give all the assistance possible to the men who were trying to make an honest attempt to succeed. But he held out no hope of permitting anything in the nature of speculation or trafficking in soldier settlement lands. EXPERT ADVICE NEEDED. I*ress Association. HAMILTON, May 20. The Waikato Returned Soldiers' Associaition passed 'tho following motion: "That prior to tho Government purchasing land for subdivision for soldiers it obtains the approval of tho Returned Soldiers' Association,' which will obtain outside expert advice as to whether the land is suitable." It was also resolved that an endeavour be made at the conference to get the Government to grant a retrospective mufti allowance. DISTRICT "BOARDS* WANTED. Press Association. WHAKATAN'E, May 20. The Whakafcane County Returned Soldiers' Association last night decided to send a remit to the annual conference of the Dominion Association next month suggesting district boards for the settling of discharged soldiers on tho land. The Government scheme was strongly criticised, the president,' Mr R. Lloyd Lees, stating that there were 300 returned soldiers in this part of the country, and that not one was settled on the land.