BIG PROBLEMS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 146, 21 June 1923, Page 10

BIG PROBLEMS

AFFECTING RETURNED SOLDIERS

PENSIONS AND LAND SETTLEMENT..

Two very important domestic questions will come before Parliament during thepresent session. One will deal with soldiers' pensions on the lines indicated as necessary by the Royal Commission Bet up at the end of last year, and the other will concern soldier settlements which have been the subject for consideration by special district inquiry boards appointed' some months back. An indication of the Government's intentions was given in the House of Representatives yesterday, afternoon by the Minister of Education, the Hon. C.. J. Parr. Referring to soldier settlements, Mr. Parr said that all but one of the reports of the various inquiry boards had been received by the Government. ■ Hundreds of cases had been dealt with individualUy, and the reports revealed a very interesting position. Land had been bought for soldiers at peak prices, but the Government could not be blamed for that. There was a popular demand for improved land. The Government now recognised that in a majority of cases there must be a reduction in the valuation. The real "trier" was going to get favourable treatment, from- the Government. In many cases, too, arrears of rent must, be written off. The Government's policy would be found to be sympathetic, and it would encourage the soldiers to go forward. Mistakes had been made. Seeing that such a huge sum had been spent it would have been a miracle if it had been: otherwiao. i The Government had also gone. into the question of soldiers' pensions. ■ The report of the Royal Commission. which had been set up by the Government had been under consideration. Later legislation, already drafted, would come before the House. The Government intended to do the right thing. The recommendations embodied in the report meant that an additional burden of ■ between £50,000 and £60,000. would be placed upon the Finance Minister. He was at liberty to say that the Finance Minister would shoulder that additional burden, and so give effect to the findings of the Commission.