SOLDIERS' LAND

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 87, 9 October 1920, Page 5

SOLDIERS' LAND

NUMBER OF MEN REPATRIATED

The latest return of men repatriated on the land was given by the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives yesterday. The position as at 30th September was as follows :—Loan authorisations, £15,000,000; advances repaid, £500,000; advances authorised, £16,640,200; amount over-committed, £540,200.

Particulars of authorisations : Improvements and stock, £2,552,167; advances towards purchase private and Native lands, £6,190,317; advances towards purchase Grown leaseholds, £1,537,913; advances towards discharge of mortgages, £479,742; advances towards* purchase and erection town dwellings, £5,280,----061.

Average advances; Stock and improve, menta, £531; purchase private land, £1645; purchase of dwellings, £665, of average capital value of settlement sections, £2404; average cost of placing men on land for settlement sections, £2935.

In addition to the £16,040,200 spent under the Discharged Soldier Settlement Act there had been spent in the repatriation of New Zealand soldiers : Lands for Settlement Act—2s3 estates purchased and subdivided, £4,017,332; 42 estates now being subdivided, £1,235,962. Under Repatriation Act, £1,472j512. Grand total: £22,766,006.

The number of men repatriated on rural land was 7880. There was available or being prepared for settlement 764,596 acres in ordinary holdings and 16,264 acres in small farm holdings. Included are 42 estates which will provide 379 sections.

The cost of administration, ho was informed, was about j per cent.