35

C.—9a

Revaluation. According to the various reports of the Inquiry Boards it is apparent that there must be a revaluation of many soldier farms. Postponements. Turning to postponements, it is submitted that, provided the price of land is reasonable, postponement for long periods would afford the soldier farmer real and substantial relief. This has one excellent feature, inasmuch as it leaves all settlers on the one footing, and there can be no ground for complaint. Revaluation and remission of rent and interest in excess of present value are necessary in some cases, but as a general principle postponement is advisable for long periods, with the right to pay off at any time. Capitalization. Only two Inquiry Boards have recommended capitalization, but notwithstanding this the majority of Inquiry Boards consider postponement preferable. General. It must be recognized that every case cannot be dealt with at once, and, appreciating this fact, the various Commissioners of Crown Lands have been instructed not to press any soldier whose farm has been adversely reported upon by the Inquiry Board until such time as it is possible to deal with his case. Taking a broad view of the findings of the various Inquiry Boards, one must come to the conclusion that the operations on farms inspected by them have not been generally satisfactory. The prices paid for some of the lands does not, however, give one the true cause of unsuccessful occupation. Quite a combination of circumstances has occurred at the same time to affect the soldier settlers, and it may be mentioned here that these men are not alone in this experience. Again, the personal factor enters largely into the question of success or non-success of soldier-settlement. Many civilian farmers have been affected by the same succession of misfortunes, and there are very few farmers who have not suffered from the slump. Without doubt, the great factors of unsuccessful occupation can be attributed to the " peak " prices of labour, stock, building, fencing, and other materials. The schedule attached to Inquiry Boards' reports shows clearly the position, and the final percentages represent what can be expected under normal conditions, and may be regarded as satisfactory. Reference to several of the Inquiry Boards' reports shows that they consider the position of the uninspected holdings satisfactory, and one Board gives 95 per cent, of estimated successes under this heading. It is not deemed advisable that the general aspect of soldier-settlement should be clouded over by a few outstanding failures and mistakes, and where these have been drawn attention to it would be reasonable to infer that the Inquiry Boards only did so with a view of bringing the matter under the notice of departmental officers. One reasonable deduction that can be drawn from the reports is the fact that but for the combination of adverse circumstances affecting this Dominion, and the soldier settlers in particular, there would have been no necessity to set up the Inquiry Boards. However, assistance has, in the circumstances, become necessary. In some quarters the Inquiry Boards have been looked upon and spoken of as " revaluation Boards." This is a wrong impression, as it will be observed from the order of reference already quoted that the various Boards were set up for advisory purposes only. The reports on each individual settler, while being of great assistance and value to the Department, should not, it is suggested, be accepted as final and action taken accordingly. RECOMMENDATIONS. Assuming that the Government decides to give effect to the findings of the Inquiry Boards, or a modification thereof, it is recommended — (1.) That legislation be brought down to provide for relief under the following headings : — (a.) That provision be made somewhat on the lines of section 15 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1915, for revaluation to meet those cases where revaluation is necessary. The legislation should apply to all classes of holdings except " section 2" farms with private mortgages, which should be dealt with by arrangement. The proposed legislation re revaluation should provide that soldier settlers must make application within twelve months. (b.) Extension of section 7 of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, to apply to all classes of farming holdings held by soldier settlers, (c.) Postponement or remission of current-account interest. („.) Power to be obtained to accept surrenders of leases, and with the approval of the Minister of Lands and concurrence of the settlers, to group sections, reallot the lands in such manner as may be arranged, and to rearrange securities.