SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 140, 18 May 1925, Page 3

SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

PROBLEMS DISCUSSED BY 11.5. A. Several interesting remits concerning the position of soldier settlers on the land were discussed at the annual district conference of the Returned Soldiers’ Association on Saturday afternoon." “That a remit bo forwarded asking for an amendment of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, insofar as interest dates for moneys due -on mortgage by_ dairy farmers are concernodj” was tho iirst ree oommondation considered.

In speaking.in support,.Mr G. D. Hamilton (Levin) pointed out. that, in July, very few dairy farmers, had cows in prolit and that they then found tho payments hard to make, it was suggested by the Levin branch that the present dates, January 1 and July 1, bo altered to May 1 and November 1 as far as dairy farmers were concerned.

After brief discussion, it was decided to send the remit on tho annual Dominion conference.

A further remit from the Levin branch was: “That the time has come when stoppages from milk cheques should bo discontinued, except in cases whore the men are • willing to continuo under this method.”

After Mr Hamilton had spoken in support, Colonel A. 11. Herbert (Eketahuna) stated that he thought it premature to send the remit on.

Following tho discussion, Mr Hamilton withdrew the remit.

Another Levin remit was: “That, as in some cases where returned soldiers aro settled on sections which have not adequate living accommodation, applicatisns for loans to build necessary buildings have been turned down, a remit bo fonwarded to the annual conference stressing the necessity of these cases being attended to and tho men given reasonable accommodation.” Mr Hamilton, speaking in support, said that he personally knew of- a case of hardship in his district, caused through repeated applications being turned down. This remit was also withdrawn, tho consensus of opinion being against its being sent on.

Tho following remit from Wellington was approved:—“That in cases where a returned soldier has been oh the land and lias shown to the satisfaction of the Land Board that, "prior to his having iiad to walk off his holding, he was a capable and qualified man, but had not tho financial backing to weather the storm, such men shall again bo given an opportunity to make good and that such financial assistance shall bo given as to carry them over the lirat year.”

REVALUATION PROBLEMS. “That the Government be kept to its promise that soldior settlers who have worked hard and endeavoured to meet their obligations would not be penalised or suffer any hardship thereby,” was tho text of a further recommendation from the Levin branch.

Mr Hamilton said that in both the Otaroa and lvuku settlements the men who had been the most industrious and hud kept up payments, in some cases spending capital on property, had received the smallest reductions in valuation. Mr H. G. Dickie (Wavorley) said that the remit opened up a big question. It did not seem fair that cases should exist where settlers who had been industrious and had kept up payments should suffer on revaluation in comparison with those who had not met, or had not been able, to meet their obligations. Colonel Herbert pointed, out that the Government valuers, in doing their work, hud not known what improvements had been effected ; their duty had been to value the land. Seventy-live per cent, of soldiers who had taken up land had not known what their fate would be; the other 25 per cent, had to pay for their work Many of those who had gone on tho land with their own capital had got the worst of it For those who were not meeting their obligations, the other settlers had to pay. Mr I’ascoe said that Wellington was not dissatisfied with the work of tho Reiuluation Board. , ~ . Mr Hamilton stated that Mr Massey had said at Levin thair the Government would help the men who" had kept their payinents up. The matter had been brought up before tho Revaluation Board came into existence. Finally, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Hamilton, it was decided to -send the following amended remit on : “That, in view of the published policy ot the Government, soldier settlers who have been industrious and/or havo paid tfiea way would not suffer in comparison upon revaluation, tho Minister be asked to ieconsider cases where injustice is, being sutfered by industrious . settlers.” A further remit from Levin was as follows : “That some effort be made to move tho Government to reconsider its attitude where tho second mortgagee is not tlio original vendor of tho land.” Mr Hamilton said that in some cases the Dominion Revaluation Board had dropped the valuations placed on sections owing to second mortgages The chairman said that ho could not honestly conceive of the Crown being asked to forego rights in favour of second mortgages. Ho did. not think it wise to send tho remit on. . After discussion, the matter was ielt in the hands of the delegates to the Dominion conference.

THE WOOL MARKETS. LONDON, May 14. At the wool salos the New Zealand clip AB brought up to 24d per lb, and averaged 21d. , On the Bradford tops market there is a better tone, more inquiry, and prices are firm. Sixty-fours, 52d per lb; sixties, 47d- fifty-sixes, 36d; fiftic* 28d; fojtjsixes, 23d; forties, 21d—A. and N.Z. cable.

Dalgety and Coy., Ltd., report having received the following cablegram from their London house under date of the inst Wool sales closed active with goou competition for all good wools. Continental buyers were tho principal operate s in Merino; good demand from Home trade for crossbreds. As compared wit last sale’s closing rates merino woo s greasy 3d to 4d lower, nieuno . scoured 4d to 8d lower, halfbrea greasy 3d to 5d lower, crossbred line quality 5d to to 6d lower, crossbred scoured 5d to / lower, slipo wools 6d to 8d lower, ambs4d to 5d lower. 69,000 bales catalogued, 43,000 bales sold 24 000 bales to the Com tinent 18,000 bales Home trade, 1000 bules America, leaving 115,000 carried f°[war of which 90,000 bales have not been offeicd. Following is tho range of prices: Merino good to super, 26d to 29; l°' v medium, 19d to 25d; halfbred, 56-58, good to super, 23d to 26id; low to medium, 18d to 22d: halfbred, 50-56. .good to super, 18d to 22d; low to medium, 15£d to 17d; fine crossbred, 48-51), good to super 16 2 d to 19Ad; low to medium, 14d to 16". hne crossbred, 46-43, to super, 1 2 17id; low to medium, 13id to 15d ; ero.sbred, 44-46, good to super, lad to Ibid; low to medium, 13d to 14Jd; crossbred, 40-44 good to super, 14d to 15£d, low to medium, 12Ad to 14d: coarse crossbred, 36-40, good to super, 13j>d to 14id ; low to medium, 12£d to 13d.

THE WOOL PACK. DECISION BY THE TRADE. LONDON, May 15. A discussion among the Trade regarding the wool pack resulted in a decision to maintain the present size of the pack, while the Trado would assume the bulk of the extra cost undor certain conditions, the principle being that the expense to the producer will not be materially increased. A recommendation on thosj lines / will bo submitted to a joint meeting .n London,— Reuter.