SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18186, 24 September 1924, Page 12

SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

LAND AND DWELLINGS. ANNUAL REPORT TABLED. (SPECIAL TO "TBI JMH.") "WELLINGTON. September 23. The report of the Department of Lands and Survey on discharged soldiers" settlements for the past financial year was presented to Parliament today. The report shows that the area set apart for selection by discharged soldiers was again considerably less than in previous years. In tho Gisbornc district only was a large block set, apart. This was the "Wainiro block, containing 7.303 acres, and subdivided into eight sections. The balance of the area proclaimed comprised scattered sections situated principally in the Auckland, Taranaki, and YVellingUm district*. Eligible discharged soldiers receive preference by the Land Boards for all lands thrown open for ballot, states the renort. and there is therefore at the present time no necessity to set apart Crown lands for discharged soldiers only. In the event of a block being opened and there being: no soldier applicants, the sections can be allotted to any civilian applicants who have applied," thereby avoiding loss in revenue owing to the sections lying idle awaiting a soldier applicant. There are, however, at the present time some 12,797 acres, comprising forty sections, which are being retained for discharged soldiers. L*i> to the present these sections have not been very freely enquired for, but they are gradually being disposed of to suitable applicants. These sections, of course, in no way indicate the total area available for settlement by discharged soldiers, a* at the present time there is available a total area of nearly half a million acres.

Financial Keview. The total amount raised under theauthority of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act to March 31st hist amounted to £20,009,066. Rather than borrow fresh capital the Treasury left a sum of £510,000, 'representing interest- owing to the, Consolidated Fund, in the account- to enable the Department to discharge its liabilities in respect of advances authorised for the erection of dwellings. The sum of £21,8G3,.50Q lias been authorised to 22,213 returned soldiers from tho commencement of operations under the Discharged (Soldiers' Settlement Act. This exeeeds the actual borrowed capital by £1,794,432, capital receipts having been applied towards making further advances.

Dwellings. Owing to the limited funds at the disvjosafof the Department during the year it was found necessary to discontinue granting loans for the erection of dwellings. Previous to this decision, however, loans were continued up till .such time as it was possible for the amended housing scheme, under the administration of the State Advances Department, to be put into effect. Rather than raise fresh capital it was decided that £540,000 of interest owing to the Consolidated Fund should be applied towards meeting liabilities in respect of loans granted to erect dwellings authorised during the early part of the year, as well as discharging unsettled liabilities carried forward from tho previous financial year. Taking urban, suburban, and rural lands into account, dwellings and loans have been authorised from the inception of the scheme as follows:—Erection of dwellings on farms, 4613, £1,345,000; town and suburban erection of dwe'Jings, 4371, £3,668,497,- purchase of dwellings, 7499, £4,903,566; total, 16,483, £9,917,063. Stock. The report states that it is regretted that, notwithstanding the advice given by experienced farmers and officials, a large number of settlers fail to maintain their flocks and herds up to a profitable standard by prudent culling and breeding. . The practical handling of stock is an essential factor towards the successful running of a farm. Where weakness is manifested in tho management of stock the Department is insisting upon the adoption of a wise policy of N culling and breeding. Maintenance of Farms. A number of settlers fail to realise tho necessity of allocating a reasonable portion of tho income from their farms towards the maintenance of pastures, with the result that farms which at one time were highly productive now show substantial deterioration. They appear to consider that tho Department should provide means for this purpose. It does not occur to them that the purchase of fertilisers for farms in running order at the time of acquisition becomes an annual charge on the farm's returns. The failure of tho Department to accede to requests for the

maintenance of pastures lias caused many complaints. Assistance is given, however, for the purpose of bringing properties to a productive state, after which the- settlers must themselves attend to the maintenance of their properties.

Abandoned Houses. Tiie f'pjrt adds that it- is a matter for r.-.zn't that a number of dwellings on which loans were granted through default' b.\ the mortgagor liave come hack on ihe bauds'of the Department. Tins is notwithstanding the fact that the instalments payable constitute an easy r. rt. Jn ;oii'e localities unemployment is given as the reason for default, while continued illness, as tiie result oi war sen ire. causing intevmittoiit employment is also advanced as a cans.-. The .Department, endeavours to handle all cases in a sympathetic manner where, it is evident that the mortgagors, through no fault of I heir own, are unable to pay. There are a number who are, and have been. in a good enough position to keep up with tlu'ir payments, but have failed to do so. A number of these dwellings are unattractive from the point of view of prospective buyers on account of the condition in which they have been left.

Tiie I).-partment regrets that it lias In-'cn necessary to take proceedings against a. number of settlers for the illegal conversion o'i .stock and chattels to their own private use, thereby misappropriating the capital provided bv the Government. Parties aiding in transactions have had to make good ihe proceeds of sales wrongly paid over.

With a capital of £20,069.066 invested in over 20.000 odd transactions, it is obvious that the problems confronting the Department present many difficulties, the work being of an exceedinglv complicated and intricate nature, and in order to achieve the best results (he utmost tact is essential between the various officials and the. settlers.

Canterbury Commission's Report. The Canterbury Commissioner of Crown Lands states in a special report that soldiers on agricultural and dairying land in many cases can meet only a. portion of their liabilities.' Some small farms in North Canterbury near the coast suffered a lot of damage by the heavy floods last May, and in several cases potato crops rotted in the ground and hay and straw stacks were so sodden as to he useless.

(Soldier poultry farming cannot yet be described as generally successful. Tin's is partly due to the fact that many ,of the men have the disability of bad health. Orehardists also in many instances have not yet surmounted their initial difficulties. The heavy gales did much damage to the commercial orchards. ' A few more farms have been abandoned. Several of these have been resold to civilians, but one drawback to successful sales is the state in which some of the soldier tenants leave the properties.

The various .Revaluation Boards have been busy, but a number of farms yet remain to be inspected. The liberal concessions made by the Dominion Board, after consideration of the District Committee's reports, should prove a great boon to many soldiers and enable them to surmount? their trouble's. And those that cannot do so it will be better to be rid of, as some are not competent to manage for themselves. In justice to many soldiers, it is only light to state that we have received a few le'tters stating that the writers did not intend to lean on the ■Government for concessions, as in spite of temporary embarrassments they considered their places were worth, the money paid, and that it would be a reflection on their own judgment if reductions were sought. That some properties were bought at too high prices cannot be denied, but with purchases in a boom time, followed by a sudden slump period, a, certain amount of this was inevitable. Further concessions in the way of postponements by the Land Board will still be required in a few cases to enable the settlers to continue, as credit is not now as easily obtained by tliein owing to the heavy losses experienced by the firms cupporting them. The difficulty referred to in my preTioua report of getting a share of the returns where soldiers are financed by outside firms still continues, and the past adverse season will not help matters.

A number of the houses of soldiers living in towns continue to be sold, partly on account of the men being transferred to or leaving for other districts, and in some cases on account of the occupants finding that the payments are higher than they can keep up, on account of unemployment or slackness in trade. The supervisor and rangers have been busy, and part of the time vc have been short-handed. Their time has ben occupied a great deal in accompanying the District Revaluation Committees, and in consequence it has been difficult to keep up the necessary inspections, especially of securities. Experience shows that these should Ivj inspected more frequently if we are to keep losses as small as possible. A few men here aud thero do not _ yet regaTd properly their responsibilities and liabilities.