NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, 20 May 1919, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

SOLDIER SETTLEMENTS

MINISTER FOR LANDS INTERVIEWED.

DANNEVIRKE. this dav

Hon. Mr. Guthrie, Minister for Lands, visited Takapau last evening, and heard representatives of patriotic societies and soldier settlers relative to grievances to assistance required by those on Otawhao, the Watea, and Marakeke settlements. Regarding Otawhao, the water supply was the chief requirement, while in respect fo Watea complaint was made that the sections were 100 small, entirely unsuitable for dairying and not big enough for anything else. Requests were made for an increased Government grant up to £750 for remission and reduction of rent, also for alteration the tenure to give soldiers the same facilities as civilian settlers in selling out the goodwill. The Minister, in a sympathetic reply. promised to give all the representations careful consideration, pointing out that the Government was trying to give the men a start, and was not aiming at making them full fledged farmers at the outset He promised to consider increasing the size of the Watea sections, and to give all assistance possible tn men trying to make an honest attempt to succeed, but hold out no hope of permitting anything in the nature of of speculation or trafflcing in soldiers' settlement laiids.

THE RAILWAYMEN'S GRIEVANCES

CABINET'S REPLY WITHHELD

WELLINGTON, this day

The question of Locomotive, Enoinedrivcrs, Firemen's and Cleaners' Association's dispute was discussed by Cabinet yesterday afternoon. The Act-ing-Prime Minister subsequently stated lie regretted be was not, able to give the organisation the Government's re ply to-day. as promised, owing to the absence of the Minister for Railways who had made certain engagements in the North, and had not been able to return to Wellington. The question of the Longton aprioal ease is also standing over for the return of Mr Hemes'. NUMEROUS DEPUTATIONS — o —. MINISTER FOR PULIC WORKS IN GISBORNE. GISBORNE, May 37. Sir William Fraser, Miniver +'or Public Works, had a buoy day to-day with deputations from .ill quarters' of the district. Including nVdny local matters was a request to the Minister for a grant of £50.000 and a £2 for £1 subsidy for ?. ;na :n ar*crial '

road from Whangapawa to Napier. Replying, Mr Fraser said that through the Estimates it would be found that £49,000 was set down for local bodies between Napier and East Coast. This sum did not include railways. If the money was not expended it was not his fault, but due to the shortage of labour. He thought, the request for a subsidy of £2 for £1 unreasonable.

Another deputation urged the more rapid construction of railways in the district. The Minister said that the Department's engineer reported Ano(t succeeding in grading the route north of Gisborne, and that the cost would not be less than £25.000 to £30,000 per mile. The Department could not entertain a work of such a costly nature. The speakers had urged him to increase the wages to 14s per day, but he was not going to do it, because he would compete with private employment. Kc was satisfied that he could get men at 12s per day, and saw no reason why, in twelve months' time, he should not have 4000 to 5000 men at his disposal. Land for soldiers was the subject of another deputation, and the speakers said that over two million acres had been purchased in the Dominion, but very little in Poverty Bay. When the Conscription Act came into force, the district had a surplus of 500 men drafted to Canterbury and Otago, and seeing Poverty Bay was entitled to the same consideration as those disricts. Mr Guthrie came to the district and offered £lO per acre. No reason was given for refusal, and adjoining people sold out at £l4 10s. The Minister said the matter wou'ld be referred to the Minister for (Lands, who was a most earnest member of the Cabinet in this respect.