A WORD OF PRAISE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 21, 16 April 1927, Page 18 (Supplement)

A WORD OF PRAISE

THE STRUGGLING SETTLER NOT ALWAYS TO BLAME fFrom Our Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON NORTH, Thursday. Since the cessation of hostilities on the other side of the globe many of those wearers of the khaki uniform of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force have followed the peaceful pursuits of farming - . High-priced land and a general slump in prices of produce has, however, done much to convert a peaceful pursuit into one of strife and worry. While some have been compelled to relinquish their holdings, others have continued to struggle on and the payment of their county rates has on occasions become extremely difficult, if not impossible. As a result the delinquents have had a good deal of adverse comment hurled at their heads and it came as a distinct change to hear the members of a county council extend a word of praise to the returned man. The subject had arisen as the result of a letter received at the monthly meeting of the Manawatu County Council from a neighbouring council, wherein it was suggested that a conference be held to go into the question of unpaid soldier rates. The county clerk, Mr. A. K. Drew, reported that so far as his county was concerned the position was quite satisfactory, as the soldier settlers were paying their rates freely. The chairman, Mr. W. E. Barber, stated that he felt a good deal of sympathy for the soldier settler in his struggle for an existence and he was indeed pleased at the position disclosed by the clerk. Crs. Hunt and Boyce also made appreciative reference to the efforts of their settlers, the latter adding that all too much publicity had been accorded the unfortunate soldier settler, for while there were no doubt some non-triers, the majority were doing their best and after all they were not the only ratepayers who had not met their obligations.