SOLDIER SETTLERS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1925, Page 4

SOLDIER SETTLERS

STATEMENT BY MINISTER. ' j DUNEDIN, Dec. 11. ! “There must be a certain amount of clearing up on the soldiers’ side,” declared the Hon. A. D. Ale Lend, in reply to a deputation of tho Returned Soldiers’ Association. “A percentage of the- soldier settlers on tho land and in houses are not doing their best to make good. These men will have to face the inevitable if I remain head of the Department. They have been given every opportunity and every assistance. There will have to be a tightening up in certain directions where men are not prepared to meet their responsibilities. Hundreds of them are better situated than civilians or soldier settlers just over thg fence, and will have to pay their way.” Mr Al’Leod stated that the ballot date for the Wilden Settlement would ho on January 20. He also stated that the conditions virtually amounted to preference to returned soldiers. The deputation also asked the positions as to re-advances of repayment* under the State Advances Act The Minister stated that lie hoped to have the figures completed at the end of the financial year. Roughly, tne position was that the Department was still making advances to men with oJ per cent or greater disability. A considerable amount of money was going out in that direction, and more was going for house-building than H'.i m added that the Department had to pay -11 per cent interest upon £11,009 LO9 which bid been tained from, the accumulated surpluses for advances to soldiers. One year the Department missed paying hall a n - lion interest owing to the soUleis Luli„,r to pay interest. The Dopnr men! was endeavouring to meet that _iiai.ilitv Practically all money coming to hand was taken up He hoped that, with the recent revaluation, the - part.ue.it could depend upon money coining in more. I reel >. 1 was still a. tremendous anu.mil < - standing. The posit,..,, was that M instalments were supposed to K pa as well as interest, d the hoards n " satisfied that the tenants were p«tl ' ~ mi improvements ol greatei \a i • ' the instalment the latter was allmud to remain on account. lor this l easan, a large proportion ol instalments ua. ‘‘°Tlm Mhdster added that 200 soldiers Ivor,’ not paying rent through health conditions. He always mamtained that the cost in such cases should Go bmiu hv the Health or Pensions Department.