SOLDIERS’ LAND.

Shannon News, 5 October 1923, Page 3

SOLDIERS’ LAND.

WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Adting-Minister for Lands, in reply to an inquiry by the press regarding the views of the South Tara- > naki Returned Soldiers’ Association, on the re-valuation of soldiers’ farms, said the position was quite clear. In a cir- , cular issued to all soldier settlers, they were informed that they could apply ’ for a revaluation at any time on or be- 1 fore 28th February, 1924. This was in accordance with the Act, which pro- ■ vided that application might be made at any time within six months from the passing of the Act. “On the back of the application form, the applicant is requested to give an estimate of r«„ ceipts and expenditure for the twelve months ending 30th June, 1924, and there is no mention of the date 28 th February on the application form. \ What the settler is asked to supply is an estimate of receipts and expend!fare for twelve months, and surely J, anyone applying for a revaluation? should not object to supply such infor- ■< mation.. If the estimate is fair and ' reasonable, ’and the settler is unable to ■pay his way, even with good bus- 5 bandry, it would appear that land is over-valued. In the case of revalua-V; tion therefore, it would appear to bo in'* the settlers’ interest to have the estimate filled in. The principal feature of the whole business, however, is that. district committees are quite unhampered in their revaluation work, and J will not be asked to value land cm a basis of even twelve months’ receipts. They will make their valuations , in' such a manner as they think fit, and, being men of experience, can be relied upon to give a fair and unbiased valu* ation, and this is what the Govern- , ment and settlers should look for.”