SOLDIER LANDS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21242, 12 October 1940, Page 5

SOLDIER LANDS

POST-WAR SETTLEMENT POWER TO ACQUIRE AREAS SUITABILITY ESSENTIAL (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday Moving the second reading of the Small Farms Amendment Bui in the House of Representatives today, the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, said everyone recognised tnat as a result of the war a very grave responsibility rested on the Government to provide land for settlement of discharged soldiers. The purpose of the bill was to 4 provide that land. The Crown today did not have large areas of lands suitable for settlement, said Mr Langstone. Most of this land was now owned privately, either freehold or leasehold, and if the Government wished to settle soldiers it must acquire suitable areas and at the proper price. The land must be of suitable quality to give reasonable returns, otherwise the troubles that had been met in the past would recur. Former Statistics In round figures, said Mr Langstone, the Soldiers’ Settlement Scheme after the last war cost the country £20,654,000. A total of 9665 soldiers was settled on the land, and of these 2140 were placed on estates acquired by the Government. There were 300 estates, representing an area of 743,000 acres. This land was purchased at a cost of £5,950,000.

Soldiers to the number of 1968 were placed on ordinary Crown land, some of which had never been settled at all. Men were today still struggling in adversity through no fault of their own.

There were 5557 soldier settlers who had been permitted to select their own areas, which they purchased at a cost of £9,050,000, and in addition current accounts had been opened for 5131 soldiers on these selected areas, the aggregate amount being £5*654,000. Avoiding Difficulties Mr Langstone said he quoted these figures as evidence of what had happened after the last war, and the Government would see to it that the same difficulties did not arise this time. If a system of settlement were established where land and conditions were a fight, and the soldier did not make good, then they could say immediately that the man should not be on the land. The debate was interrupted by the adjournment at 1 p.m.