FRESH HEART

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 69, 18 September 1930, Page 17

FRESH HEART

TO SOLDIER FARMERS

REVALUATION OPERATIONS

The annual report on discharged soldier settlement for the past year, presented in the House of Representatives yesterday, states that the operations of the Dominion Revaluation Board were with respect to cases previously dealt with by the board where it had beea found that the assistance formerly afforded was inadequate to enable the soldier settlers concerned to farm, their properties successfully. The number of cases reviewed during the year was 1 pro

"Tho general effect of the determinations issued," states the chairman, of the board (Mr. J. B. Thompson), "has been that tho men affected have experienced less difficulty in meeting their obligations to the Crown, fresh heart has been taken by those whose difficulties had begun to create in them a spirit of despair, and there has been, a general steadiness evidenced on the .part of those- assisted, and a gradual progress reflected by a reduction ia arrears, despite the low prices prevailing for farm produce last season, Tho reductions in charges made this year are particularly important, as, in the face of the last season's low prices, any endeavour to make overpriced land pay would be surely doomed to failure."

During the major operations of the board in 1924 and 1925, certain postponements were niado for a period of seven years from 30th June, 1!)23, and some of these fall due on Ist July. In a number of cases it is expected that the postponed charges will be met, but in others it is anticipated that the question of re-postponement will have to be considered. In certain instances, the report states, the necessity to reduce charges has been obviated by the allotment of additional areas to the settlers concerned, where the trouble has been chiefly tho smallness of the holding. Such increase in areas has permitted greater production and enabled the tenants to work their properties successfully, without any reduction in charges. The loan capital of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Account has been reduced during the year ou account of the redemption of debentures totalling £©5,770, and now stands at £15,----(380,995 16s Bd. A total of 79 newloans have been granted during th» year, aggregating & 45,839. The number of additional loans was 797, totalling £158,520. The total authorisations show an increase over last year'« figures of £73,813.