SOLDIERS' LOANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1920, Page 4

SOLDIERS' LOANS.

REPAYING THE GOVERNMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, July 17. "I am not boasting of what New Zealand has done for its men, but I want tJ boast about the way the men of New Zealand are standing by their contracts with the Government of the Dominion," said Sir Prancis B6U at a banquet given to Amberley returned soldiers. After giving details of repatriation to date, Sir Francis Bell said over 95 per cent oi the men with obligations to flitGovernment were meeting them to the day, and the monthly collections by repatriation authorities were coming in at a rate of £420,000 per annum. Five per cent only were not paying their obligations to the day, and of them many failures were due to death, and with most others there was at least a reasonable explanation. In regard to land advances, payments were being made with astoi .shing regularity. While he was acting-Minisii/r of Lands it was the most gratifying and most pleasant experience of his life to see the way the men were meeting tlwir obligations. Very few, indeed, had claimed an extension of time, or a remission, which ordinary settlers were sometimes prone to do.