DIFFICULT TIMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 45, 22 February 1934, Page 10

DIFFICULT TIMES.

SOLDIER SETTLERS. HAURAKI PLAINS INQUIRY. FULLEST INVESTIGATION. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) PAEEOA, this day. Problems of soldier settlers on Ilauraki Plains are to be investigated thoroughly by the executive of the Pacroa and ITauraki Plains Returned Soldiers' Association. The matter was raised and thoroughly discussed at last evening's meeting of the association. Mr. T. Lynch, on behalf of the soldier settlers of the Kerepeehi Block, spoke of the question of the valuation of the holdings of these men when taken up and the impossibility of carrying oil at present-day prices. Replies to previous representations had been that individual settlers should make application and their cases would be dealt with on their merits. Knowing what reply would be forthcoming, none of the settlers 'had made application. The request was that 1 lie take up the matter in an endeavour to secure equal treatment for all and that it set up an investigation committee. The president reported that, acting on instructions, the secretary had written the headquarters of the association asking that a protest be made against the Government's proposals to defer the question of applying the existing legislation whereby the revaluation of farming properties held by Crown tenants could bo applied. A reply had been received that it was hopeless to request revaluations of any property, he it farming or city, at the present time, when values were so dependent upon our overseas markets. After the matter had been further ventilated it was decided, on the motion of Messrs. \V. Medlines and E. A. Mahoney, that a committee be set up to consider the land problems of the soldier settlers.

The president said that he would endeavour to get the executive to boll a meeting in Kerepeehi in the very near future. Mr. A. M. Samuel, M.P., would be available next Tuesday morning, and if it was agreeable the meeting could be held at .11.30 a.m. This was agreed to, Mr. Lynch undertaking to inform ali the soldier settlers" of the district.