SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6320, 24 February 1922, Page 5

SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

MINISTER’S ANSWER TO CRITICS

GOVERNMENT ASSISTING MEN

WELLINGTON, February 23. The Minister for Lands, commenting to-day on the report of tlie Dominion executive of the Returned Soldiers’ As-

sociation concerning soldier settlement, expressed satisfaction that the executive had agreed that the settlers were progressing as favorably as could lie expected, and that they were receiving considerate treatment at the hands of

the Lands Department. He was getting reports regarding some complaints that had been embodied in the report. The Minister proceeded to say that

the critics of the Government’s soldier settlement policy should remember that the scheme was repatriation, not ordinary land settlement. A very large number of men had to be placed on the land in a short period. Prices were high at the time, and many men had little or no experience. The slump admittedly bad been a serious matter for these men. but the Government could not fairly be blamed for tlie turn of events, and it was doing its best under difficult conditions to see the men through. Over 9,000 soldiers had been placed cn the land and up to date the number of forfeitures of soldiers’ leases was 201. There had been 19 foreclosures with respect to advances made for purchase of private laad, and 60 men who bought private land with Government money had abandoned their holdings. Many men had applied for the revaluation of their holdings, but to- do this when prices of farm products were at their lowest, would be to inflict unwarrantable and unnecessary loss on the State. The Government was postponing rents and instalments where necessary, and it had made provision foi-l-evaluation and adjustment in capital value and rents after three years <>«m- j pation.. j The Minister added that the proper course which tlie Government was tak- j mg, was to deal with the most urgent j cases on their merits. He anticipated j that within a short time land values and produce prices would be stabilised. Then, and not until then, would be the time to take into consideration the j question of revaluation. The Government would spare no effort to carry j soldiers through the slump. The duty of those seeking the welfare of the sol- J diers and of Crown tenants generally. | was to assist the Government in tlie j policy it had adopted, rather than to j make statements of a disturbing no- j ture.—Special. <