EX-SOLDIER’S APPLICATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1943, Page 4

EX-SOLDIER’S APPLICATION

FOR LOAN TO PURCHASE A FARM. REHABILITATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN'S REPLY. As chairman of the Masterton Rehabilitation Committee, Mr J. Robertson, M.P., replies as follows to charges made by Mr J. P. Peterson, of Eketahuna, at the last meeting of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, relative to a returned soldier's application for assistance to purchase a farm, in which he made reference to a discussion on the matter at a meeting of the Eketahuna R.S.A.: “Inquiries showed that the account given to the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union by Mr Peterson of what occurred at the R.S.A. meeting in Eketahuna was grossly exaggerated. The soldier concerned did not make contact with a rehabilitation officer and of his own volition he made application to the State Advances Corporation for a loan to purchase a farm. The State Advances Corporation did not consider that the terms of purchase warranted a loan being made. In the meantime, the applicant and his wife were working on a farm and gaining valuable experience. It should be remembered that rehabilitation assistance is available for. any returned soldier for ten years after his return and consequently this man is still at liberty to apply for assistance in the purchase of a farm, which would provide him with every prospect of an assured livelihood.”