THE RETURNED SOLDIER.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1918, Page 2

THE RETURNED SOLDIER.

To the Editor. Sir, —Tn your sub-leader of Thursday you spoke ol' alterations necessary which, I think, are greatly needed. In this connection, I will give you my experience with one of them, and your readers can judge whether he has got a square deal. Just over three months ago one of them was brought by a. friend of his—a farmer known to me—to have, a look at my small farm, believing it would be a suitable place for him if the price was right and the Crown would finance him. As lie said they would advance up to £2500, f agreed at a price which both considered reasonable, the amount being under £2OOO. Having got the needed form, and paying £2 for the same, I put my place under offer for three months.' In a week or so after, the Crown Lands Commissioner and one of the board members (Mr. Heslop) came along and inspected the farm and buildings, and sampled the soil with a spade. At the next board meeting in August the board decided to recommend the purchase for the Minister of Lands' approval, the Crown to lirfd £I7OO, the applicant to find the balance, while they would finance for stock, etc., some £2OO. As he was able and ngreeaMe to this it seemed as if every thing was right; but about four weeks later the Crown valuator came on the, scene to re-value. What his estimate of value was, and report, I do not know, but three weeks later—just at the expiration* of the three months—the applicant got notice that the Crown would only advance £1530, and he would have to find the rest, which he was unable to do. He could have found the balance over the £I7OO. As' far as lam concerned it does not hurt me; but is this the way to treat the man who ha.n fought for liis country? He fought in the Boor War, at Gailipoli (where lie was wounded), anil in France (where he was again wounded), and not one black mark against him. He is still a fit man, and as he understands dairying work and also poultry, he could have done well, but has been denied the opportunity. The question is: Why was not the board's recommendation upheld? Is their judgment worth anything?. Had the (leal been in the ordinary way I would have advanced the balance required on second mortgage, but a purchase by the Crown precludes this. —I am, etc., GEO. J. MACKIE. Kaimata, October 28.