LAND FOR SOLDIERS

THE PRIME MINISTER'S INDENTION. The Prime Minister states that he has instructed the Under-Secretary for Lands to vend a circular to the Commissioners of Crown Lands throughout the Dominion, telling them that he desires that in all cases settlers who are now serving at the front with our troops should be treated in the most liberal manner. In no case should any forfeiture for noncompliance with residence, improvements, or other conditions of the lease take place without first submitting full particulars to the Department and to himself, and if any settler who ib at the front or who desires to go to the front wishes to transfer his section, every reasonable facility must be given to allow of the approval of the application to transfer. "I intend," says Mr. Massey, "during the coming session to introduce legislation authorising members of the Expeditionary Forces to apply for either Crown or settlement landß. In the meantime, if any Land Board is satisfied that a tjv.v-fide relative or even a friend is applying for land with the ultimate view of transferring the section to a man who is fighting Ins country's battles at the front, the board should use discretion, and by no means treat such an application as dummyism. "I propose to set apart in the near future suitable blocks of land for settlement by members of the Expeditionary Forces on their return to the Dominion. Unfortunately, the area of Clown land of good quality now remaining is veiy limited, but I intend to do my best for returning soldiers. "