SOLDIER FARMERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 126, 30 May 1934, Page 12

SOLDIER FARMERS.

RELIEF REQUESTED. 20 PER CENT INTEREST CUT. WIPING OUT OF ARREARS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) MORRINSVILLE, Tuesday. A 20 per cent cut 111 interest and rent and the writing off of arrears that have remained unpaid for years arc the two main points in a series ot twelve resolutions, which are now meeting with the approval of soldier settlers throughout the Auckland province. At a meeting of settlers last evening at Mangateparu, near Morrinsville, which is the largest soldier settlement in New Zealand, these resolutions were approved, and a delegate was appointed to attend a central conference of representatives from all parts of South Auckland, which is to be held at an early date. Mr. W. H. Jeffs, president of the Mangateparu Settlers' League, presided, and members of the executive of the Morrinsville Returned Soldiers' Association wore present. It was explained by Mr. A. Topham, of the Kereone Soldier settlement, near Morrinsville, who is a member of the Auckland executive of the Farmers' Union, that a committee of soldier settlers from all parts of the Auckland Province had met at Auckland last week during the progress of the Farmers' Union conference, and had framed twelve remits for consideration at meetings to bo held at the various soldier settlements. The remits had been approved by officials of the Auckland R.S.A. Nothing unreasonable had been asked for, but it was considered that the Government and its Departmental officers would welcome constructive suggestions from the delegates of the soldier settlers. The settlers, who were pushing to have these remits put into effect by the Government, were not the men who would get most relief, but they were settlers who did not owe the Crown a penny. It was pleasing to see that they were actuated by the same spirit of comradeship that was evident among soldiers during the war years. Remits Approved.

The following remits were approved unanimously at Mangateparu:—

(1) "That the first charge on the produce of the section should be the maintenance of the settler and his family according to a reasonable standard of living. The second charge should be the maintenance of the land in full productive capacity. The third to be the payment of interest and other annual charges. Until these have been met in full 110 repayment of capital should be made. (2) "That as general rates of interest and rents have been reduced by Statute by 20 per cent, returned soldier settlers' interest and rent should be reduced by an equal amount, with retrospective effect 011 the date of legislation, and that if there is any further general reduction of interest, returned soldiere should benefit pro rata. (3) "That principal and interest charges deferred in 1923 should be cancelled. (4) "That when an order is taken over a. cheque, the Crown allow the appropriate rebate 011 the amount of interest' and rent actually paid. (5) "When an amount required to pay annual charges has been received, deductions should automatically cease until the beginning of next period. (li) "That percentage reductions should come up for review at least every two years, and that settlers should have some say in the matter —the Crown tenants' representative 011 tlio Land Board to be the arbitrator. (7) "That all reports and valuations made by Departmental officers should be available to the settler concerned, and that .all unfavourable reports should be communicated to the settler concerned. (8) "That as the Government has successfully converted most of its loans to a lower rate of interest, returned soldiers' rent and interest should also be reduced by a similar amount. (9) "That where current instalments of rent and interest are being met, rebates be allowed, even though accounts are in arrears. (10) "Where values of'improvements warrant it, the bills of sale over stock should be released. (11) "In view of the injustice which has occurred in cases where a soldier settler has been put off his section, which lias been subsequently disposed of at a lower figure, the assurance of the Minister that no soldier settler would be forced off his land is welcomed. (12) "That in addition to the Crown settlers' representative an elected representative of the returned soldiers' settlers be added to each Land Board." R.S.A. To Give Lead. "The Government looks to the R.S.A. to speak for soldier settlers," said Mr. Topham, at the conclusion of the meeting. The remits framed at Auckland had been referred to several Auckland members of Parliament, who had expressed their approval. County councillors thoroughly acquainted with tlio difficulties of soldier settlers, had also given their support. "After all, we are not asking for anything absurd; it is simply justice," added Mr. Topham. Mr. E. C. N. Robinson, a vice-president of the Morrinsville R.S.A., was appointed the delegate from Mangateparu settlement to the proposed conference. The Mangateparu settlement comprises CO dairy farms occupied by returned soldiers.