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Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 32, 7 August 1919, Page 8

In response to an invitation, Mr. J. D. Ritchie, chairman of the Government j Land Purchase Board, attended the last meeting of the Marlborougli Patriotic Association. < He said that the board had inspected most of the properties which the association recommended should be, acquired for soldier settlement, and considered some of them suitable. The board was getting'valuations made, and hoped in a. week to make a recommendation to Government. The board was ofj the same opinion as the chairman of the association—that they should try to get properties on which the soldiers would have a fighting chance. He supposed they knew as well as he did that it. was difficult to get land at a price which gave much margin. At the same time the board would do all it could to find something for the soldiers. Already a great deal had been done, as they would ; understand when he said that the annual vote for this purpose had already been disposed of. Close on a million had been spent in four months. Mr. Pollard: "But none in this district." Mr. Ritchie said _that Marlborough was . not the only . district ■ where none of the vote had been spent. He knew the. Government was anxious' to provide the soldiers with opportunities for settlement. He had^-no doubt that1 when Parliament met plenty of money would, be provided. The only question witn tQ get (suitable land at a reasonable I price.. : .