LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 18, 23 January 1919, Page 3

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

DBECTION TO NEW REGUEA

TION'S.

(United Pres* Association.)

HAWBRA, This Day. A meeting of the Returned Soldiers Association last night passed a motion .protesting against the regulations in connection with the 'Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act. It was considered that the Act as passed by r 'Parliament was satisfactory, and that the officials were willing to do the best for the men, but the regulations which ha# been added hindered efficient administration. The grounds of the soldiers’ complaint arle; Firstly, that with regard to advances on mortgage to assist returned soldiers the present aopluFtion form requires a three months’ option by the owner to the ;pplica.nt. Consequently it is only in exceptional cases that, an intending buyer and seller can afford to wait. Second .y, with regard to advances under the bill of c ale security must be given, not only for stock and chattels on farm, in respect of which money is required, but also, over all other slock and chattels, pro. sent and future, of the applicant. Thirdly, that all applicants must. at their own expense appear personally before the board, entailing long distances of travel and days of lost time, only with the prospect and not an assurance of success. Fourthly, that the Land Board meets only monthly, and app’n'qations missing the current month’s meeting are deferred a month. Fifthly, all applications require the Minister of Land’s approval, meaning further delay. es. pecially to those living far from the centres. The meeting considered tb° conditions altogether unnecessary, and thought, that local boards consisting of commercial and farming men coadd he established In all smaller centres and overcome the present waste of time.