GIFT LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1918, Page 5

GIFT LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

MR. G. HUNTER'S OFFER. The Prime Minister (Mr. Masaey) made some further reference on Saturday to the offer of Mr. G. Hunter, M.P., to transfer 2!>85 acres of freehold land to the Government for settlement by returned soldiers. Mr. Hunter stipulated that the sections should be allotted by ballot, the ballot to take place after the close of the war. "It is not intended," said Mr. Massey, ''that the settlers going on to the land so generously given by Mr. Hunter should get it free of rental or any further payment. The details have not been worked out, but will be arranged later, probably between Mr. Hunter and myself. Mr. Hunter's intention is that the payment, either on account of rental or of capital value will be used for a purpose such as scholarships for the orphans of New Zealand soldiers who have been killed during the war, or perhaps for improving the conditions or special eases in the way of incapacitated or partially incapacitated men. "The point I want to make clear is that the land will be for the benefit of New Zealand soldiers generally, and that cyen the New Zealand Government will not benefit by the gift, except in the way of having more good land on which to place soldier settlers when the war comes to an end." It is understood that the value of the land included in the gift is not less than £30,000.