THE ASSOCIATION SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 251, 22 October 1919, Page 15

THE ASSOCIATION SCHEME.

DISCUSSED BY CONFERENCE. LAND AGGREGATION. SUGGESTED RESUMPTION. (By Telegraph.—Vress Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. A discussion on the land question took place at the conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association tonight. in moving the adoption of part I. of the Land Committee's report, Mr. G. Mitchell CBalclutha) said he believed there were at present 3000 or 4000 returned soldiers looking for land, and another 6000 who were working at their trades, and would take up land if it were available. Inflated values were at the bottom of the whole trouble regarding land, and the winning of the war had been responsible for values being increased. The soldier had taken risks at the front, and it was only right that risks should be taken in settling him on the land. If given a chance „ldier settlers would "make good." Mr. V. Potter (Auckland), in seconding the motion, said undeveloped land should be. brought into a state of production. Mr. D. Colquhoun (Dunedin) said too long a period elapsed between the time a man applied for land and the time when a grant was made. Mr. E. W. Leadley (Christchurch) sug- i gested that it should be urged upon the Government to increase the amount available for the purchase of small farms by returned soldiers from £2,500 to £4,000. Mr. W. Pollock (Auckland) said be had found that most of the estates which had been acquired f"br soldiers' settlement were bad purchases because in almost every case too great a price had been paid. The principle of buying for soldiers' estates which were, at the present moment in a certain state of productivity was not helping the country. By putting men on unimproved land the productivity of the country was increased. After other speakers had contributed to the discussion, which lasted for over two hours, Mr. Mitchell replied, and pointed out that the committee felt that land belonging to absentee owners should be taken first, as it was considered such people were no good to the country. Part I. of the report was adopted unanimously. During the discussion of part TI. Mr. Mitmell said the committee agreed that the price to be pai.l should be the value of the land in 19 , 4. plus an increase of the same rates as the increase in the value of the land for the five years preceding 1014 and plus any improvements put on the land. By adopting such a principle the country would secure the war-created value. The conference arrreed to the principle expressed, but decided to refer the matter hack to the committee for a detailed report. Among the recommendations of the Land Committee which were adopted wero the following: — That a land officer be appointed by the ■Returned Soldiers' Association and attached to headquarters to take in hand all matters pertaining to land settlement. That in all cases where desirable and possible, stock should be acquired with the estates. That no rural land over a value of £7.r>m be transferable without the option of purchase being nrst given to the Land Purchase Board, such option to be exercised within three months. That such land cannot be sold to anyone other than the Onvernment for a period of two years after such option is given at a lower price than that asked from the Government without the approval of the Land Purchase Board. That all land aggregated since Jnnuar.r 1, 1015, may be compulsorily taken by the Government at the price paid by (I;,, aggregator, for settlement by soldiers. Ft was also decided to recommend that loans for building settlers' homes be fixer] as follows: Sinsrle Man, £-250; man an.l wife, €400; and for each child. £50 extra.