SOLDIERS ON THE PLAINS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 187, 8 August 1919, Page 6

SOLDIERS ON THE PLAINS.

EFFECT ON VALUES. GOVERNMENT BURST INFDATIOX. WhAt will be the effect of the opening up by the Government of good quality land in booming Jand districts, is a point that has created a good deal of interest amongst farmers and those in- ' tereeted in real estate. Tho promised early opening of a new portion of the (Haiiraki Swamp for re> turned soldiers, together with the acquisition of -the Kopu property, pointed out a gentleman -who is well qualified to expres3 an opinion, may have a profound effect upon the tendency to boom values in the Hauraki Plains, inasmuch as when the eoldier settlement land is fully improved the Government will be able to place the soldiers at anything up to £20 an acre cheaper than tho current prices in this fertile district. It wae alleged that the booming of the prices had re suited in speculative activities, and that although at the present rates prevailing for dairy produce, it migrht be possible to sustain those values for the time being, the inflation would be revealed when the butter, meat, and bacon markets become normal. Such was the opinion of the authority in question, and he wae confident that the activities of the Government would have a steadying and healthy influence upon values on the Hauraki Plains. LAN© BOARD POLICY. The policy of the Lands Department, pointed out a local official to-day, was to ccc that the returned soldier received the opportunity of getting on to the lanti with a fair and honest chance of success. In regard to the latest purchase -of the Government, he was confident that he would be afforded the. opportunity. It nw rested with the re-j turned soldier to do hie part. Aproposi of the question of the influence of Government de-ils upon land values, the' •official in question pointed out that atthe present moment there wae an infla-: tion in regard to nearly all land values! resulting from the present high prices! for produce. Obviously it -would be a| suicidal policy for the Government to I buy lands on these extreme values, for it was realised that the time must come when pricee -would get back towards normal and when excessive values could not be sustained. {