RETURNED CONTINGENTERS.

Evening Star, Issue 11696, 30 September 1902, Page 6

RETURNED CONTINGENTERS.

NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA. [Fawac Otra' Pjurlumcntaby Rxpoxxn.] WELLINGTON, September 30. A deputation representing officers and men. of the New Zealand contingents interviewed the Minister of Lands yesterday to explain the terms under which New Zealanders have been offered land in South Africa, and to ask what facilities will be allowed them to take up land in this colonv instead of goin? to South Africa. The deputation, which was introduced bv Mr J. H. Witheford, M.H.R., comprised Captains Castts, Stevenson, Richardson, Charles E. Browne, and Lieutenants Lorigan, Vallance, Travers, and some non-commissioned officers (including one r representing troopers resident in Otago). ; 'Messrs R. H. Rhodef* Flatm&n, and Budd© (members of- the House) were also present. Mr Witheford explained that the New Zcalanaers had been allowed only one month to decide whether they would or would not accept the offer of the Imperial authorities for land in South Africa.

Lieutenant Loristan read the terms now under offer, as follows:—"The men will be allowed to choose the colony in which they wish to settle. Any man with £SOO will be given a subsidy of £ for £, and will be given concession in regard to stock, etc. Seed will be given free of cost for two years, and steam ploughs wiQ be placed at the disposal of the settlers for a like period fiee of cost. The Government will import all farming implements and sell them at cost price. A market will be guaranteed for produce for five years. The services of veterinary surgeons will be granted free, and until the railway is built In the district steam haulage and transport to the nearest railway wfll be provided for the settler. Moreover, the settlers will be given the first opverfcanity of doing any work that offers."

The deputation therefore wished to know what facilities would be given to New Zealand troopers to take up land in this colony, as they preferred to remain here instead of returning to Sooth Africa. They wanted to know what area of first class land was available and whether any special settle, meat land could betaken up without delay. Was the Minister, they asked, prepared to enlarge the area offered for special settlements under the Act of 1892, and would he grant a special clause to enable selectors to obtain the freehold. They also asked if he would agree to the extension cf the term for the payment of rent from two to ten years. Captain Browne further explained that, under the terms offered, while a married man would have the right to take his wife with him, an unmarried man would be permitted to take his brother. Settlers would be taken to the land from the coast free of charge. Mr R. H. Rhodes, 3LH.R., hoped the Minister would take this matter into his serious consideration, and if possible formulate some scheme of special settlements to meet this demand. He knew that special facilities to'settlers were being offered in South Africa, and that even if anv man took a fancy to any particular farm tha authorities would purchase that farm for him and settle him upon it. The Imperial authorities were anxious to see good settlers introduced into the colony in order that the Dutch votes might be outnumbered. The Minister, in replying, said that the deputation had brought before him a very large order, and to give a reply at sucu short notice would be impossible. Anv facilities granted would have to be open to all the troepens and officers, and he posed that this would mean 6,000 men. Mr Withrford: Not more -than. 200 men will take up the land. The Minister agreed that not more than 200 men might be prepared to take up the land, bat any one of the 6,000,.wh0 applied would require to have his claim met. However, he would have to consult his col leagues on the subject. It would take some time to formulate a plan and to see what land they could set apart for the purpose. There would be no chance of doing anything until after the session. His sympathies were with the men who went to South Africa, and he would do .all he possible could to meet the wishes of those who desited to settle on the land, but it would be impossible to reply straight off. Mr Witheford said the applications he Had received numbered eighty. He asked if forty men formed a special settlement whether the Minister would give them a block of land out of the 67,000 acres now ivaflable.

The MinirteT replied that it might be tone, brst not in a day. ' ,- As the deputation pressed for 1 an early reply,: in view 'of-; the urgency of Jo a. decision regarding, the South Africaa offer,-'-Mr Duncan promised 't&at he would cro»)ider whcWmatter immediately after *he sesaea, wid raply **rly.