TWO BILLS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 37, 12 August 1943, Page 6

TWO BILLS

N.Z.R.S.A. SUGGESTION

VALUES AND ACQUISITION

A statement issued by the executive of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association on the subject of the Servicemen's Settlement and Land Sales Bill sets out the association's action and representations regarding property acquisition and values. Point is also made of the proposed legislation, as previously drafted, having been materially altered, and the suggestion is offered that two Bills be drafted in place of the one now introduced.

The executive recalls that the following resolutions were passed by the annual conference of the Dominion council of the association: "(a) That the Government be urged to introduce legislation to establish land and house values so that servicemen will have the opportunity of acquiring land at a productive value and houses at an economic value and on freehold tenure; (b) that if sufficient suitable land is not available for ex-servicemen from the present war power be taken to acquire it, always provided that sufficient is left with the oWner to ensure a living; (c) that the association protests strongly against the policy of land aggregation as permitted at present."

During discussion on the resolutions it was agreed, says the statement, (1) That there would be no right of freehold or other tenure had it not been I for the sacrifices of servicemen in the [present war; (2) that prices of farm I land and houses had risen since the beginning of the war and a certain amount of speculation in land had taken place in respect of farms which was out of proportion to the returns from genuine farming; (3) it was practically impossible for servicemen in cities to obtain a freehold home at the £1500 available under the rehabilitation legislation, and this was only partly due to the housing shortage; (4) it was difficult for a serviceman to obtain the freehold of a farm at the productive value with the genei rous amounts available to him under the same legislation; (5) the association was of the opinion that legislation for settlement of ex-servicemen should be a separate Act; (6) the hardships inflicted on servicemen after the last war and the huge loss involved through their settlement on the land .must be avoided; (7) that servicemen I should be entitled to the freehold. DISAPPOINTING RESPONSE. After the conference the resolutions were submitted to the. Minister of Lands and the association arranged meetings in farming districts for the [purpose of obtaining areas of land at a suitable price,.but the response had been disappointing. "It is obvious to the R.S.A. that land values must be stabilised if returning [servicemen are to obtain a home or a farm at a fair value," the statement continues, "and, further, that suitable land must be acquired at a fair value for soldier settlement." , The Dominion executive committee of the association had the privilege of perusing the proposed legislation in draft form and considered that it was a definite endeavour by the Government to implement the resolutions of the association's Dominion council. It therefore approved of the principles of the proposed Bill and advised the Government on July 21 as follows:— "(a) Insofar only as the Bill contemplates the stabilising of 'land values, both urban and rural, and the prevention <of the undue aggregation of land and its use for speculative or uneconomic purposes, the association heartily endorses its principles; (b) insofar, however, as the provisions of !the proposed Bill are concerned, the association considers they will fail to accomplish the purposes set out in the preamble (in particular the settlement of discharged servicemen).. A .For this reason, therefore, the association is unable to give its approval to the Bui as presently drafted."; ■ . The statement adds that since then the proposed legislation had been materially altered, and the ■ title of the Bill changed. The associations Dominion executive committee suggests that the Bill be divided into two, as follows:-'Tirst, that the stabilisation proposals be made a separate Bill, and as this portion is a war measure it be limited to a certain period after the war Secondly, that the method of acquiring land for the settlement of servicemen and the terms of # settlement with the right of acquiring the freehold be a separate Bill. g The association was unable to suggest any satisfactory alternative to the P.nncipfes of tL present Bill but it might well be that the principles could be carried out by other methods. To allow the opportunity for other methods to be explored it suggested that all interested parties be given the opportunity to make representations before the Bill was proceeded with. Fmally, the N.Z.R.S.A. reiterates that land values must be stabilised and land StaSlsSSy acquired if the returned serviceman of the present, war is to .obtain the fair deal to which all secations of the community agree he is so justly entitled.