RETURNED SOLDIERS AND THE LAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1918, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS AND THE LAND.

To the Editor, Sir.—l noticed in the News a lotto fi'pm Mi'' George Mackie.of Kaimata. I have had the same experience myself, and ' My treatment is almost identical, with the_ exception that f.jun placed in the position of tiio returned soldier. Some time ago I applied for a pertain section of land, price required for it bv the owner h»ing a reasonable one. After the usual filling of forms and paying my i-i 2s, 1 duly Went before the Land":-; Board, which is composed of experienced farmers who werei satisfied with the place in every respect, price, suitability, etc., and they gave me to understand that all that was necessary now was for the papers to be sent to Wellington for the approval of the Minister of Lands. -• So far, so good. The Land Board were .• satisfied, and bo -was I. But notf the trouble, started, and file usual red tape. An independent valuation was required, and after being kept in suspense for, nearly Jhree months, I am told the ■ Crown will only advance me a certain sura, which is not sufficient to set me on the place. Is this the way to help the returned soldier on to the land? What is the use of the Land Board if its .recommendations are not taken notice of? Until the land boards are allowed to act independently and given a certain amount of freedom/there can be no hop® of improvement. The board's decision should lie final. Instead, it appears to rest with some official or officials in Wellington to have the last sav ; and what are they to know about the section I applied for? In conclusion, I may say that T hare had over three years of active service, being at Gallipoli and France, and was wounded at the former place. Ts this the treatment we are to ■receive front a 'grateful ■conntiyl—lwinn,. etc.,