LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4526, 18 April 1917, Page 6

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

A AY AIR All APA SUGGESTION. GOVERNAIENT URGED TO ACQUIRE IMPROVED LAND. Land for returned soldiers was referred to at yesterday’s meeting of the Defence Committee, when a resolution from the AVajrarapa Patriotic Society dealing with the matter was discussed. The resolution was as under: “That the Government be urged to immediately 'provide improved land for returned soldiers. That it is an injustice to expect- all returned men to take unimproved and busli land, after the hardship and sacrifice they have already made for tho Empire. That if suitable land is not offered for purchase voluntarily, this Executive ie_ commends that a AVar Regulation lie gazetted providing as follows: For the purpose of acquiring land on which to settle soldiers, private estates to be placed m several classes, the highest class to consist, of such properties as are valued foi taxation purposes at a Capital value of over £ From each of such estates shall he taken sufficient to reduce them to the second class of over £ . -- - If that does not provide sufficient land, proceed m the same manner with the second class, and so on. Under these regulations all properties shall Ut considered as a whole, unless -the owner or his bona fide manager resides on the portion field in then namo That any balance ot .and after soldiers’ requirements are met, to be made available for closer settlement bv other suitable men. That payment for tlie land taken to‘bo by Government Debenture, and the price paid to be fan value, in the vicinity of the value existiiu, ■before the declaration of wai.

Tho Mayor said that lie did not ao-vec with the resolution entirel). for men who had not been wounded land who were willing to go back He considered that the resolution u* s rather crude as no figures'were given- ' Air Broadhurst thought that the last clause. of the resolution was also crude-and indefinite. . Captain Pitt suggested that tne resolution, should be deterred >i fni ‘tlier consideration- ~, -n This course was adopted and it J Hie further considered at the nemeeting of the Committee. At a later stage of the meeting i was decided, on the suggestmn o AL Humphreys, to wijiteto the authou ties inviting the Land Purchase C , SsSko“visit. Poverty Bay for the purpose of acquiring land for settlement by returned soldiers. Mr Humphreys said that other districts were acquiring land and if the people m. this district did not luirry up they would bo left. - , - It) was pointed out’ by members ot the Committee that it was understood some time ago that Poverty Bay was to be visited by the officials for tins purpose, and that was wily the writing of the letter had been delayed.