SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1918, Page 2

SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

SCOPE OF THE 'MACHINERY. The scope of the machinery for promoting coldier settlement was considerably enlarged and rendered more workable by an amendment of the law last session of Parliament and extended power is aow given for 1 the State to make advances to returned soldiers under the following headings:— . The purchase of the fee simple of any private land or native land with improvements thereon. The acquisition by assignment or transfer of any lease of land administered by a Land Board. The clearing, fencing and general improvements (including buildings) of any land owned by a discharged soldier. The discharge of any mortgage affecting land owv;ed by a soldier or affecting land administered by a Land Board and held by a soldier under lease. The purchase of implements, stock, seeds, trees, etc., for the successful occupation of any land owned by a soldier. Another valuable feature of the amend ing Act in question is a provision which will no doubt be put into full use when the Main Body returns and the men are anxious to establish themselves in homes near centres of population where they can ply their trade or calling. This lias reference to the povers given to set apart areas for soldfcrs' dwellings and the erection of buildings by the State. Further provision is made enabling the Land Purchase Commissioners through the Land Board to acquire and dispose of to any /eturned soldier any private land which the soldier may lun'e in view as suited to his special needs end circumstances, provided the owner is willing to dispose of it and offers it to the Land Board and the price is judged to be a fair marketable one. The local Commissioner of Crown Lands (to whom we are indebted for the foregoing information) will be able to give returned soldiers who are interestedin the matter and apply to him either personally or by letter full details of the foregoing schemes and also furnish applicants with the necessary forms and other printed matter to enable them to prosecute their applications.