SOLDIERS' LANDS

Evening Star, Issue 18031, 27 July 1922, Page 2

SOLDIERS' LANDS

READJUSTMENT OF VALUES. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] .WELLINGTON, July 26. ' The. Prime Minister informed the House to-night that there was no intention to appoint one hoard to investigate soldier settlements. There would be a board for each land district, and if they got two straight, sensible men in each district that would be sufficient.- Their duties would be to decide where any land requiied- to bo revalued and whether the rentals owing should be rebated. The Government knew that many soldiers were up against difficulty, and it would do justice lo the soldiers and the country, irrespective of its effect upon votes. It was misleading to regard soldier settlement as a failure. A great majority of the soldiers would make a success. It was unfortunate that they should have encountered the slump before getting that experience of their land which every farmer needed to make a success. The country must bo prepared to face some ‘loss, but it must see these men settled and given a fair chance. Questioned whether the boards would report before the General Election, the Prime Minister said that it hud been suggested that they constituted an electioneering dodge ; but it, was nothing of the sort. It would bo too much to expect the hoards to finish by December, but in that time considerable headway would have been made, and the country would know where it stood.