SOLDIER SETTLEMENTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 1240, 22 July 1919, Page 4

SOLDIER SETTLEMENTS.

PAYMENT OF RATES. ATTITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT. An important reference to the liabilities of the Crown in respect of soldier settlements was made by the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister for Lands, in a letter to Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P. The Minister writes: " Referring to your recent communication in which representations were made that the Government should pay the rates accruing on estates purchased for discharged soldiers until such time as the lands are selected, I have to inform you that I have given the matter careful consideration and find that it would be very difficult, in fact impossible, to ascertain what the probable cost would be in each year if it were decided to do this. " In most cases, the settlements are quickly disposed of, but in some cases sections remain for a long time. " Some county councils have agreed that soldier settlers in their district* should have rates remitted for periods up to four years, although they have objected to bearing the whole cost of the concession. In one-case, the local body has, by special resolution, remitted one year's rates. VALUE OF STATE-MADE ROADS. " The roads made by the Government when subdividing properties acquired for settlement invariably benefit the district as a whole, and, moreover, the local body is not called upon to pay any of the cost. Reserves for public purposes, such as metal, etc., are frequently made. These roads and reserves, of course, benefit the district as a whole, and incidentally I the local authorities obtains the other I benefits that accrue from the increase I in population. RESPONSIBILITIES OF LOCAL BODIES. " For the reasons mentioned and in view of the liabilities now being incurred in connection with the settlement of discharged soldiers on the lands in question, I regret that at the present time I cannot recommend the Government to pay the rates on lands purchased for the settlement of soldiers between the dates of acquisition by the Crown and disposal to the soldier settler. It is my opinion that the local bodies should bear this, in most cases, small loss, and thus help to establish discharged soldiers on. the land with the best possible chances of success."