SOLDIESRS AND THEIR CONTRACTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5536, 19 July 1920, Page 3

SOLDIESRS AND THEIR CONTRACTS.

SPLENDID TRIBUTE; BY SIR FRANCIS BELL.

CHRISTCHURCH. July 17

“I am not boasting of what New Zealand lias done for its men, but j want to boast about the way the men of New Zealand are standing by their contracts with the Government of the Dominion,” said .Sir Francis 80. l at a banquet given to the Amberlpy returned soldiers.

After giving details of repatriation to date. Sir Francis said that over 90 per cent, of the men with obligations to the Government were meeting itbcni to the day, and monthly collections by the Repatriation authorities were coming in at the rate of £420, 000 per annum. Five per cent, only were not paying their obligations to the day, and of them many failures were due to death and for most of the others there was at least a reasonable explanation. In regard) to land advances, pa merits were being made with asto ashing regularity. While he was a .ting Minister for Lands, it was the most gratifying and most pleasant experience in his life to see the way the -nen were meeting their obligations. Very few indeed had claimed an extension of time or a remission which ordinary settlers were sometimes prone to do.”—P.A. wire.