SETTLING EX-SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1920, Page 5

SETTLING EX-SOLDIERS.

LAND PROBLEMS DISCUSSED. RESUMPTION OP GRANTS WANTED. By Telemph.—Press Association. Wellington, June 2. The R.S.A. conference to-day passed a resolution viewing with consternation the sudden withdrawal by the Government of loans to returned soldiers under the D.S.S. Act, and urging: (a) That immediate provision be made by Parliament to deal with all applications for loans which were lodged with land boards before April 25, 1020; (b) that in View of the large number of applications declined by land boards since the Government's withdrawal of loans, Parliament should authorise the continuance of these loans at the earliest possible moment during the coming session. It as decided also to call upon the Prime Minister to redeem the promise made by him to the last conference that the Act will reuijain in operation until every returned soldier is settled on the land. It was. resolved further to ask all local associations to place their case before their district members of Parliament, also that the Prime Minister and Minister of Lands be invited to attend a conference, failing which conference the association should wait on them with th.> object of obtaining satisfaction, The conference decided to urge the Government to put. into operation forthwith the clauses of the Acts in force relating to the compulsory acquisition of land; that where practicable payment for land so acquired should be made by Government securities (buads, etc.); that more stringent steps be' taken to enfore? the provisions of the Acts relating to the imposition of the graduated land tax with the view of forcing largo landowners to place their land in the market. Wellington, Last Night, The Returned Soldiers' Association Conference passed remits'on the subject of land, including the following:— That the Government be urged in land ballot a to give preference to men who proceeded overseas, as against, those who did not; that discretionary powers bp given land boards to gram applications [ for sale after the expiry of live years; that the Government be urged to remit, stamp duty on transfers to soldiers who obtain loans under the D.S.S. Act; that legislation be passed for intermedial. l classification of lands; thai district secretaries of the Association lie supplied by the Land Depariuieni with a list of all Government leases falling due within the'next three years; that the maximum advance for the purpose of falling bush on soldiers' sections be increased in all rases to cover the actual cost of falling; that, the R.S.A, be represented on all land boards, and that hoards be empowered to appoint local.committees to deu.l with R.S.A. applications for land; that the Board have power to make final decisions without reference to the Minister, in order to expedite business; thai attention be called to the inell'cctiveness of land purchase board i. find that a clear statement be asked nf the Minister regarding their duties and powers.