THE RIGHT TO FREEHOLD SOUGHT

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 123, 26 May 1941, Page 8

THE RIGHT TO FREEHOLD SOUGHT

Returned Soldiers’ Land Settlement FEILDING BRANCH SUPPORTS HEADQUARTERS Called in response to a petition an extraordinary general meeting of members of tho Feilding R.S.A. on Saturday night unanimously. cndox*sed the claims of headquarters of the organisation for provision in the Small Farms Amendment Bill of the right of soldier settlers to freehold tenure. The meeting resulted from an allegation in the petition that headquartors of the R.S.A. had failed to press for tho right to freehold, but this was clearly refuted by the local president, Mr. F. J. Allen, following a discussion in which members expressed themselves in favour of a campaign to urge upon the Government to amend the Bill. A motion proposing that the R.S.A. press for an amendment to tho Bill to provide that returned soldier settlers have the right to the freehold of their land was proposed by Mr. Don Higgin and seconded by Mr. L. D. Legg, who both asserted that soldiers should be given the option.

Mr. P. Whiteman said that the association would be failing in its duty if it did not fight on behalf of those who were now serving overseas that this country may remain free. “Who?” he asked, “was more entitled to the freehold of tho land than those who are fighting to-day. (Applause.) But that was not enough. We should go further. We do not want a repetition of what happened at tho close of the last war. Soldier settlers obtained the freehold but were saddled with liabilities which reduced tho lot of many to degradation and starvation. We should also consider the price they should be called upon to pay. If we lose this war we lose everything—we believe that to bo perfectly correct. It is also true that the men who are going to win this war for us are tho men of the' Army, tho Navy and the Air Force, together with tho help of those in tlie factories. It they are going to win everything for us then it would be hardly fair, when they came back, to commenCo debating what wo are going to charge them for the land. It would be hardly too much to give them half of what they have saved for ub —” A voice: That would bo too tough—they wouldn’t take it. (Laughter.) ‘‘Undoubtedly they should have the freehold,” continued Mr. Whiteman. “.Before they get back and certainly when they get back, we will be faced with a form of inflation. The very fact of these men in their thousands coming back will create in themselves a degree of inflation. It should bo ourj duty and objective to see that they do not suffer that inflation over the rehabilitation period as did the returned men of the last war. (Applause.) It does not end with the granting of the freehold and in my opinion no one is * more entitled to the right of freehold,” he concluded. Several speakers supported the proposition and the president, in reply, said that headquarters of tho R.S.A. was definitely pledged to get the Bill altered. Reviewing tho R.S.A. interest in the Small Farms Amendment Bill, Mr. Allen said that the Government first approached the R.S.A. because of the assurance that returned soldiers were out to help the Government. Ho did not agree with the wording of the petition which expressed the view that strong dissatisfaction existed regarding the R.S.A. attitude towards tho Bill. Ho recalled that the R.S.A. called a conference of delegates to deal with land settlement in November last and resolutions carried at that conference were presented by a deputation, to the Prime Minister and members of Cabinet. One of the principal resolutions provided that tho tenure forj discharged soldiers be renewable lease with tho right of conversion into freehold after five years of occupancy. Tho president of tho R.S.A., the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., had definitely and emphatically told the Prime Minister that the freehold issue was a very strong one as far as the R.S.A. was concerned. The Prime Minister and Cabinet, said Mr. Allen, were just as definite and emphatic that they could not concede tho point. Some misunderstanding aroso from tho statement made by tho Minister of Lands in the House that tho R.S.A. had entirely agreed with tho Small Farms Amendment Bill as it stood. Unfortunately, this was not immediately challenged, although a statement was prepared by tho R.S.A. and handed to the press. Later the Dominion president (the Hon. Mr. Perry) handed a statement to Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P., contradicting the Minister and this statement was delivered by Mr. Poison in tho House. In view of these facts, said Mr. Allen, he could not' see how tho Dominion president could be accused of “letting down” the R.S.A. “I want to say that Mr. Perry has given half his life and half his body for his country, and I regret very sincerely any censure of him coming from this branch regarding his work on behalf of returned soldiers of the Second N.Z.E.F. on this question.” In his opinion the boys now overseas were not being neglected by tho R.S.A. It was definitely the aim of the R.S.A.. to obtain the right of freehold for all soldier settlors, he concluded. Mr. H. J. Dewo then proposed an amendment to tho motion to the effect that while tho meeting was strongly of the opinion that the R.S.A. must continuo to light for the Small Farms Amendment Bill in its present form and urge the right of freehold, it deplored the criticism of tlio Hon. W. Perry and dissociated itself from the petition. Tho amendment was put to tho meeting and carried without a dissentient voice. Mr. Higgin remarked that in his opinion tho petition had been disposed of in committee and therefore the reference in the amendment to the petition was improper. The chairman ruled the amendment in order aud it was then carried as the substantive motion.