MEETINGS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9658, 15 July 1919, Page 2

MEETINGS

RETURNED SOLDIERS' Uspi.

A general meeting of tjlae Ashburton Returned Soldiers' Association was held in the Soldiers' Club last evening. The presid&ttt (Mr E. H. On) presided over a large attendance. A letter was received from Lieutenant M. P. W. Blatliwayt thanking the association for its co-operation while he had been in charge of the area. — Received. The chairman requested as many returned soldiers as possible to take part in the procession on Peace Day. The chairman explained that the main tto'jec't of the meeting was to obtain full information in regard to land settlements and houses for soldiers. The extent of the demand,' any shortage, and unsuccessful applicants for land were points on which information would be welcomed.

The first point taken was: "Can you estimate the extent of the demand for land by returned soldiers in the district ?'" '

Mr Bamford thought that this question should be put to returned soldiers by means of -advertisement, and he moved in that direction.

Mr Baker seconded the motion : which was carried.

Question No. 2 was taken: "Is there any shortage of land suitable for settlement by soldiers in your district ?"

Mr D. Moore said the question arose whether land already^ cut up for soldiers was at all suittflSle. Neither Seafield nor Staveley struck him as being suitable. At the present^ time there was only one block open in the South Island, although several wore in survey. 1 It was decided to state, in reply to the question", that there was no land at present open for soldiers in the Ashburton County, although four settlements would shortly be open for selection.

In reply to a question, Mr D. Moore stated that there was a big demand for the Wairuna, Eiffelton, and Coldstream sections, but not for Staveley. Question No. 3: "Can you Btate any soldiers who have been unsuccessful so far m. their applications for land?" The secretary was instructed to' inquire into such cases and forward thesm to Wellington, Lieutenant Blathwayt's oase being cited. Question No, 4: ''Could you furnish any estimate of the number of soldiers in your district who have been unable to get houses under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act ?" .

It was "resolved to adopt the same procedure as in Question No. 1. Question No.. 5: "Has the system of valuing house property been, as far as you know, satisfactory?"

Mr D. Moore said in making application there was the necessary valuation fee, and the Government would not advance more money than the Government valuation, the soldier having to find the difference. But the Government advanced the whole of their own valuation, and no other valuation was allowed to influence the Government valuation.

The chairman quoted the case of a soldier who had asked for an advance to build a house, having himself bought the section. The application was refused, without any reason being given.

Mr L. Hopkins said the system worked very slowly, a soldier having to wait months for an advance. Further, he stated that the agents were shying clear of a soldier's house or land business on account of haying to keep offers open for prolonged periods. Mr Moore said, regarding the delay, it was generally due to the title particulars not being properly filled in. If the title was given correctly in the first instance, the delay was about halved.

Mr Seldon said even then a landlord was not prepared to put a pro-, perty under firm offer for six weeks to a returned soldier when property was selling as it was at present. ■'■".The' delay worked unfairly upon the soldier s chances of acquiring a 'home. It was decided to reply that the system was not satisfactory on accoiint of the delay in coming to a decision re advances, the delay being so'long as to deter vendors from making offers to returned soldiers

A letter from the Defence Department re remission of fines was received with approving laughter. The chairman said that since the annual meeting Mr D Moore had relinquished the office of secretary, and Mr W. J. 'Anderson had succeeded him. A vacancy on the committee was caused by this circumstance. Mr Moore was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy. The chairman made an appeal for a vigorous canvass for new members.