SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1916, Page 7

SOLDIER SETTLERS.

SOUTHERN MEMBER'S STRONG CRITICISM. Wellington, May 12. A strong indictment of the Government policy of providing land for returned soldiers was made by Mr.' Anstey, member for Waitaki, to-night. He declared that nearly all the land set aside for returned soldiers was in the North Island. Mr. Massey sliould remembers that he was not merely Prime Minister of the North Island. The South Island had sent its full quota and more. Members: No.

Mr. Anstey: These young men who have gone from the South Island should have the right to settle near' their own homes. Crown land was available in tho South Island, but instead of being provided for returned soldiers it had been dissipated in a wicked way among gamblers, speculators 1 and absentees, "f charge the Premier with deliberately conniving at that process," he said. In regard to the Benmore estate it was of excellent quality, suitable for subdivision into small-sheep farms. Only twelve sections were reserved for soldiers. iPublic meetings of protesi were held. Mr. Massey. The Land Board said it was utterly unsuitable. Mr. Anstey: I will deal with the Land Board. Mr. Massey: I'll deal with you afterwards. Make no mistaks. Mr. Anstey declared that he inspected Benmore, and finding it suitable for returned soldiers pleaded with, the Premier to come down and see it for himself. Had he done so an iniquity would not have been perpetrated. The Commissioner of Crown Lands reported the land unsuitable for returned soldiers because capital was needed to work it. This precious official had an idea that nobody had gone to the front except poor men. Out of nine sections four were drawn oil behalf of absent soldiers. Four -successful applicants were ladies. They could go back to the snow country, but it was unsuitable for returned soldiers, thirty-seven of whom were among the applicants. The plain fact of the matter was that the • Premier's supporters in the district moved heaven and earth to get the land disposed of while the men were absent fighting their battles and so reduce competition. They succeeded in doing it. Mr. Anstey followed up by referring to several of the successful applicants, who, lie said, had got land which should have been reserved for returned soldiers. Strangely enough, also, three of the sections he mentioned had been drawn by men whose names were the same as the name of a member of the Land Board. It mig'lit, of course, He continued, be a coincidence, but it wis a strange one. Mr. Massey: The Land Board told ma that the land was utterly unsuitable for returned soldiers, and that you knew nothing about it.