SOLDIERS’ LANDS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 August 1924, Page 5

SOLDIERS’ LANDS.

TARANAKI CONDITIONS. (By Telegraph—Special to Star.) WELLINGTON. Aug. 1. The Minister for Lands in the House to-night showed hot resentment of Mr Masters’ .criticism of soldiers’ land purchases. He had suggested by innuendo that the laud purchases were primarily for the purpose of fattening the friend's of the Reform Government, and not to assist the soldiers. If there was anything more objectionable and despicable it was the sordid mind which ascribed motives to everything which was done, said the Minister. “If I felt so inclined, though I hate to do so,” continued the Hon. A. D. McLeod, “T could point to the purchase of £IOO,OOO worth of property in the Hutt Valley in 1903-5 under the old Liberal regime, which up to 1922 showed a loss of £122,000, but I don’t wish to ascribe motives.” As for the purchases in Taranaki for soldiers’ settlement, Mr McLeod said he had not inspected these lands.

Mr Corrigan : You will weep when you inspect those holdings. Mr McLeod declared that the special enquiry committees, which were composed of men who could not be described. even by Mr Masters, as discreditable, reported to Parliament that every precaution was taken in the appointment bv the Government of men as valuers. They had had great experience as farmers, and were men who had been accepted as valuers by banks and other lending institutions. The department said these committees purchased in nearly all cases at less than the selling values, and in cases where mistakes have been, made there was no question of corruption, but simply one of judgment.