ON THE LAND.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 2855, 28 January 1916, Page 4

ON THE LAND.

SETTLING OUR SOLDIERS

FIRST GRANT IN TUB

DOMINION

Tho Wellington Land Board had before it yesterday afternoon applications fi'oin 13 discharged returned soldiers for land. This is believed to Ix) the first tiim'o such applications have, been considered in New Zealand. The Conimissioncir (Mr CcClure) recited ttho provisions of t3io Act. He sa'kl that ,in itime the, question, would bo as to where the Board was going to get the land, but under whatever circuin-sibaiices arose the best possriDle would have to be dbaio for the men wilio had fougb/t for- thcii"- coraitiy. There was provision for financing tho retuimed soldiei*s on the Board's recommendation to the Minister, and he cert-ainly thought that the soldier wiae leinititled to liberal' treatment. Mr McOluro preferred that the col-

diers should have α-bsokit© preference over those who remained behind. "If a, -main is fit," he said, "a.nd lie docs not go to tho front—well, he shouldn't got an acre." Mr W. J. Georgetti also stressed the pihiiims of tlie returned soldiers, and hoped that the latter would receive every consideration. It was rattier unsatisfactory that in the case of more tha;n ono application, for any seel ion tho ballot should be resorted to. Mr BanMiistcr pointed out that it was not necessary to have a baHot. Tho land could be granted to the man the Board considered most suitable. Mr McGl'ure stated that several of Urn irolurncd soldiers were anxious to obtain smaOl sections near tlic city for 'poultry a.iid pig rearing. Such areas were available at Lower Hutt, and possibly Norma ndale and Petone. "Wo will want to know in each case,' «iai.d Mr Georgctti, "whether the soldiers want, 'agricultural land, sheep country or small areas noai , the city." Mr McClure : It is certain that we will luavo no agricultural land in WeiLi ngton. unless we buy it. The Board then considered the applications. The first was held over, pending further particulars beixi'g supplied, Regarding tho second applicant,. « nia.ii without any capital, it was decided to recommend that section 41, block 6, Huiuia- Survey District, be proclaimed under the Discharged Sol L dn'or-s Act and granted to N. A. Koplfce, of tho Main Body, who was discharged owing io a wound in Oris foot. Tne matter of fhianeia-1 assistance was left, wilJi Miii Commissioner. This ii.s the first grant made in tho Dominion under tie Act.