LAND FOR THE SOLDIER.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 62, 13 March 1919, Page 8

LAND FOR THE SOLDIER.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The Hon. D. H. Gnthrie's statement in last Thursday's "Star" re soldiers application for land on loan prior to discharge, is typical of the Government's attitude. He first implies the impression abroad to be false, yet later on he explains how the difficulty (virtually admitting its existence) may be overcome. The hon. member's pamphlet, placed in the hands of every soldier upon arrival, definitely limits the power of application to discharged soldiers; so does the Crown lands guide; so does the D.5.! 5 . Act, 1015; so does* every form available at the Lands Office on which you swear you are a discharged soldier within the meaning of the Act. Hence the repression abroad. He then explains that, a returned soldier may apply for land (also loan to purchase lapd. I presume) prior to discharge by gitting immediate discharge, as per new arrangement between Lands Office arid Defence Department. But this most up-to-date provision only provides for discharge during the twenty-one day's leave. T arrive in New Zealand in Feoruary, and have to report at the Warkiito Hospital for treatment three times a week. I find a settlement oyen for selection near my home, and wish to procure a farm by ballot, which takes pla>:e March IS. If T could apply immediately and chanced to be successful, a'slow-moving Government machine might Tiave tilings complete by the time I am discharged. But no, I am not eligible to apply. 1 must awa,it the next ballot, and perhaps the next after that, or if I see a very good private proposition I must wait till discharged, gat a three months' option, an 4 apply for loan on the place, and then lie idle for that period, keeping myself and family, while a cumbersome machine decides whether to advance the mone3 r .

Efficiency Bonrds and reconstruction, sir! Why, if the public realised the hoteh-potclied, patched-up state of our inadequate ltrnd settlement machinery, something drastic would happen even before next election. However, what can be expected with our two heads of " the last man and last shilling fame" touring at this critical stage, and leaving the Hon. Acting-Vrime Minister the hopeless task of scraping through with a scratch team. This case cited is only one of a multitude of obstacles in the WS3 , of a. returned man getting on the land, and there are leas advantages to those who are returning from the conflict than there were to an ordinary citizen in peace Uw"»s.—l am, etc., Ellcrsli*. •{. W. MILXEK.