WHY THEY DON'T MARRY

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 40, 16 February 1929, Page 10

WHY THEY DON'T MARRY

LAND BALLOT APPLICANTS

YOUNG FARMERS' HANDICAP.

PREFERENCE" CROWDS THEM OUT

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DANXEVIRKE. Friday

An interesting point regarding preference to applicants in land ballots has been raised by Mr. James Livingstone, president of the Dannevirke branch of the Farmers' Union, and Government representative on the Hfiwkc's Bay Land Board. At a ballot in Napier on Wednesday for the Waimarama block, six sections were offered, preference being given to married men. returned soldiers and those who had been unsuccessful in two previous baliots. Mr. Livingstone raised the question whether an applicant who entered the ballot for all six sections and was unsuccessful in the first two was entitled to preferential treatment in regard to the remaining four. The Under-Secre-tary for Lauds ruled that the jisiial custom should be followed, and The whole block regarded as one ballot.

Mr. Livingstone's contention is that each section should be rewarded as a separate ballot, and in this view lie is supported by legal opinion, which shows that there is nothing in law to show that the whole of the sections in a block opened for selection are to be regarded as a single ballot. Mr. Livingstone considers the present arbitrary preferential system is keeping some of the most promising young farmers off the land. These young men would make excellent settlers, and their fathers are frequently in a position to assist them in the purchase of stock. That they are not married is not infrequently due to tlip fact that they cannot obtain suitable land on which to set up a home.