LAND FOR SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10606, 3 June 1920, Page 3

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

DELEGATES CONFER

DISSATISFACTION EXPRESSED AT PRESENT CONDITIONS.

Remits bearing on what was considered to be in the interests of settling returned soldiers successfully on the laud were adopted yesterday by delegates to the annual conference of the N.Z.R.ti.A. as follow; —

"That the group settlement scheme, as discussed and approved at last conference, ho again put before Parliament, with the addition that preference be given discharged soldiers in New Zealand to emigrants from abroad for purposes of that settlement.” . "That this association considers that the delay on the part of the- Government Lands Department in settling the liabilities of soldier-settlers to private firms is detrimental to the soldiers’ interests, and recommends that a more expeditious method in dealing with these accounts should ho adopted.” "That the Government, be urged in land ballots to give preference to men who hav© overseas as against those who have not/* . "That the N.Z.R.S.A. views with regret that the Government has not given effect to the remit with regard to the supply of fencing wire and building material at cost price to soldier-settlers, find the same remit bo again urged 'ins "That the maximum sum advanced by the Government for the purpose of felling the bush on soldiers’ sections should be increased in all cases to cover the cost of felling the bush, the maximum advance of A- 10s not being sufficient to cover the cost of felling the bush in a good many cases.” REMISSION OF STAMP DUTY.

"That the Government be urged to remit the stamp duty on transfers to soldiers who obtain loans under tho D.S.S, Mr C. W. Inder (Auckland) thought that the provision should be made retrospective. 1 All soldiers should be on the same footing. Ho moved that the remit be referred back for further consideration.

“I, oppose the amendment. on the ground that it is asking too much," said Mt N. A. Ching (Waikato). The amendment was lost, and the remit adopted almost unanimously. . ' It EDUCE THE TENURE. A -remit, "That headquarters impress upon tire Government the urgent. ueces-. sity for reducing the tenure of' returned soldier settlers from ten years to five in all cases where settlers have .carried out the ■ conditions of the D.S.S. Act,” was strongly supported by Mr T. Patou (Takgpau). He contended that to compel a soldier to remain in. tenure of a property after he had complied with .the provisions of the D.S.S. Act was not only great hardship to Jho individual concerned, but also -against .the best interests of the country in that it was calculated to limit production. It was resolved that the Government be urged to give discretionary powers bo Land Boards to grant’application* for sale after the expiry of five years. _ LAND SFrLiaiIiK.TIOOiQ’ULSOII.Y ACQUISITION. URGED. - -

• Matters .affecting the' settlement of land in the Dominion were also discussed, and with a view to securing their desires resolutions were adopted as follow : "That the Government bo urged' to put into operation forthwith. the clauses of the Acts in force relating bo the compulsory acquisition of land." "That where practicable the payment of the land so acquired should be made by Government securities (bonds, etc.)." "That more stringent steps be taken to enforce the provisions of the Acts relating to the imposition of the graduated land tax with a view to forcing large landowners to place their properties in the market.”.