FARMS FOR SOLDIERS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23944, 11 May 1943, Page 7

FARMS FOR SOLDIERS

METHOD OF ACQUISITION (P.A.) HAMILTON, May 9. Mr D. V. Bryant, C.M.G., of Hamilton, who has had extensive experience in land settlement, to-day discussed proposals for the "rehabilitation of men who wish to seek a livelihood on the land. “At the beginning the Government bound us by a pledge.” said Mr Bryant. “It said to the soldiers when they sailed that whoever, on his return, wanted to farm, a farm would be provided for him, with the necessary stock, out of State capital and on generous terms. It said, in fact, that lack of capital should prevent no soldier from taking his living from the land. “There are already soldiers demanding the fulfilment of the promise. Very soon there will be many more hammering at the gate. What are we doing? We sav to them, ‘Find your farm and take air option. We shall then take the necessary steps.’ But here the problem ceases to be simple. Where are the farms to be sold and bought? A farm at last is found. The prospective seller asks, let us say, a fair market price. But the market price is high and the demand keen. The seller baulks at the option but, in the circumstances, concedes it. Then the Government or board sends an appraiser, whose value is to some extent based upon production and long-term finance. There is a disparity between the valuation and the market price; the option expires, the land is sold—not to the soldier. “Possibly some will say that, if suitable farms are not available, the soldier must take to pioneering, With bush land or depreciated or third-class land,” continued Mr Bryant. “I say this proposition is neither fair to the men nor to the country which would, in the end. pay the bill. The only way of fulfilling our promise is by providing accessible and highly improved land. “The suggestion now is that compulsion should be applied in respect to land. It is not suggested that the land should be taken without compensation, but it is suggested that the price should be fairly assessed. Assessment of Price

“The price should he based upon the productive value of the land. Any disparity between the productive and the speculative value would give two compensations. First, the owner would be taking no undue advantage of his country’s defender, and second, paying in cash would obviate any chance of future loss under mortgagors’ protection legislation.

“There is one stipulation that might fairly be made. Land so acquired should not be allowed again to come into the market for speculation. It would not be the intention of the State to provide capital for the purposes of land dealing, and the State should retain the right, if the soldier for good reason wishes to dispose of his holding, to buy back at the price paid plus permanent improvements, less depreciation.’’