BALLOTS FOB LAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1922, Page 2

BALLOTS FOB LAND.

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS. QUESTION OF PREFERENCE. In response to representations made by members of the South African veterans, Mr. S. G. femith, M.P., recently made inquiries from the Minister for Lands as to the possibility of South African veterans being given preference over the general public in any ballots for land being offered for selection by others than discharged soldiers. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie has replied to the effect that section 17 of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act of 1921-1922 enables the Governor-General, by proclamation, to declare that on and. after such date aa may be therein mentioned such provisions of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act as he may specify shall be applicable to South African veterans. Owing, however, to the prevailing financial stringency, it has not been deemed advisable to give effect to the provisions of that enactment. In the event of any part of a soldier settlement being offered to the general public for selection, no preference could be given in ballots to South African veterans other than the preference in favor of landless applicants with children dependent on them; and landless applicants who, within two years immediately preceding the ballot, have applied at least twice unsuccessfully, as prescribed by section 4 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1920.