LAND FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15536, 11 March 1916, Page 3

LAND FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS.

THE CLAIMS OF THE MAORI

(special to "the tress.") " GLSBORN'E, March 10. An important announcement was madc'by thc'Hon. AV. D. S. MacT>onald at a gathering a*> the Soldiers' Club to-day, The Minister, referring to the provision that "was being made for settling returned soldiers on the land, mentioned tho private effort that was being made in the "Waiapu district, and added that since bo had been in Gisbornc, a valuable property had been offered him for a similar purpose. The property was offered at a fair Government valuation, and the gentleman was prepared to accept Government debentures, and was not asking for a single penny in cash. He desired the property to be cut up for the settlement of returned soldiers. The Minister added that he was urging the Government to get right on with the settlement of soldiers on the land, and that property should be made availabic here so that men from Gisborne, when they returned, should not be forced lo settle elsewhere. Sir James Carroll said that -Maori soldiers were entitled to* the same considerations as Europeans in regard to the placing of returned men on tne land. Tho question arose whether the Government should continue carrying on a "vigorous policy of denuding the Maoris of their land. He only hoped that in carrying out this policy they would bear m mind the probability of having to provide other land for tho race in future. • The Hon. "W. D. S. Mac Donald said he did not think the Maori should be denuded of his land. They all knew no one had done more for the. Maori people than Sir ' Janice Carroll, and any scheme ho might bring forward would liave consideration. (r-RESS ASSOCIATION" TELEGRAM.) X A PIER. March 10. Five returned soldiers applied for land at to-day's meeting of the Land Hoard. The applications were adjourned until the plans have been prepared.