SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Grey River Argus, 8 June 1922, Page 6

SOLDIER SETTLERS.

PLEA FOR REVALUATION OF LAND. MINISTER’S REPLY ADVERSE. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 7. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, accompanied by Mr W. IL Field, M.P., and Mr McClure (Commissioner of Crown Lands) paid a visit to Otaki and Levin, to attend to several matters in connection xvith soldier settlement. After inspecting Pukenamu settlement, near Otaki, and dealing satisfactorily with a number of matters brought up by indivdual settlers, tho Minister proceeded to Levin, where be was met by a large deputation representing the whole of the soldier settlers in the district. The principal request made xvas for an amendment in the laxv to provide for an immediate, revaluation of soldier sections, on the ground that .such action xvould encourage the men to persevere. Mr Goxv (president of the local branch of the R.S.A.), Mr Alonck (County Chairman), Air Matheson (Mayor of Levin), Mr McLcary (Farmers’ Union) and others strongly supported the proposal. In reply, the Minister pointed out that he had considered this matter very carefully, and that, in his opinion, ample provision had been made in the meantime. The law already provided for a revaluation after a settler had been in occupation of his holding for three years, and, in the meantime, he had nu de provision, in cases xvhere such action was warranted, to postpone payment of rent for a period xvithont charging interest on the amount postponed. The Minister stressed the point that the present xvas not a suitable time for the revaluation of rural lands. Prices of produce xvere fluctuating, : nd until they stabilised, a fair basis of value could not be obtained. He promised to bring the matter before the Cabinet, but he could hold out no hope that the request for an immediate revaluation would be granted. Those xvho had already been in occupation of their sections for three years could make applict tion for a revaluation to the Commissioner of (’roxvn Lands in accordance xvith the Act.