SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1921, Page 5

SOLDIER SETTLERS.

GOVERNMENT RELIEF. By Telegraph —Press Association. Dannevirke, July 25. Replying to a deputation of the Dannevirke branch of the Hawke’s Bay War Relief Association, which asked Mr. D. H Guthrie what the Government intended to do in affording relief to soldier settlers, who tvere having a big struggle owing (o the conditions prevailing, the Minister for Soldier Settlements said the Government was doing everything in cases of emergency to postpone the payyment of rents until the soldiers were able to get on their feet. It was also prepared to take payments in instalment? spreading over a number of years without the payees sacrificing any privileges and without the payment. of interest on instalment moneys. If at the end of the period the men could not pay the amount owing it could be capitalised. In cases of extreme urgency the Government could remit the paymems due, but it could make no general rule. Each case would have to be considered on its merits.

In regard to grassing the Government was prepared to meet the soldiers in a similar manner to settlers who were burnt out. He wanted to emphasise one point. The contract between the soldiers and the Government would be kept, but the soldier must be a trier, otherwise he would only be wasting his time.