SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 48, 26 February 1923, Page 3

SOLDIER SETTLERS.

I . j ADVICE FROM FARMERS. J REPORTS ON THE SCHEME. <Bj Telesr:aph._Press A«eci*tten.) VTELLLNGTXJX, Sunday. At the meeting of the Dominion Executive of the Returned Soldiers' Association, with reference to the suggeftion that strict advisory committees of ! farmers should be set up to assist soldier ! settlers, the following" reports were received:— I In Auckland province committees were ! set up in various farming districts, and a number of men availed themselves of ! the advice given. Canterbury: Xo com- ■ mittees had yet been appointed, and i*, i was difficult to get farmers to act and p,ay their own travelling expenses. •. Wellington: A committee of five promin- • ent farmers had been appointed in the Wanganui district to act in an advisory capacity. Otago: It was not thought I that the scheme would meet with favour, as the soldier settlers could gain much the same benefit by joining local branches of the Farmers' Union. It was decided to press for legislation giving effect to the recommendations of the Pensions Commission, and that a sub-committee wait upon the War Pensions Board to discuss the question of neurasthenic cases. MILK CHEQUE DEDUCTIONS. Mr. W. E. I.eadley said the deduction of 50 per cent from the milk cheques of returned soldiers was too drastic. It was stated that the general conference had already affirmed its opinion in favour of the adoption of a lesser deduction than that existing in certain cases. The resolution of the conference was affirmed, and the motion agreed to. The president said he would instruct the secretary to again press on the Government the advisability of adopting the resolution of the conference. The difference of rating soldier settlement land compared with the rating of adjoining land was brought before the committee. It was mentioned that the asseseed value of soldier settlement land was sometimes increased owing to roading and other improvements. Some members of the committee mentioned cases of hardship arising out of the higher assessment of soldier settlement sections. It was agreed that the matter be referred to the Farmers' Union and that members of the executive, if possible, be present when the matter U considered. •