SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16697, 15 November 1917, Page 5

SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

QUESTION OF FINANCIAL RELIEF. Matters regarding the settlement of returned soldiers on the land were mentioned at yesterday's meeting of the executive of the Patriotic Association. A communication was recently addressed to the 1 Hon. W. F. Massey, Minister for Lands, ! asking if the first half-year's rent on sections allotted to returned soldiers could be foregone. • Mr. Massey replied stating that every soldier settler was expected to pay the rent on the land allotted to him, and in most cases did so. If, however, he- was financially unable to pay, assistance might be, and had been, given, either by way of postponement of payment or remission , for such period as was desirable. Each i case was treated strictly on its merits by the Land Board, according to the nature of the laud and the circumstances of the settler. It was highly desirable that the first payment should be made, as it proved the bona-fides of the settler. If land was allotted and no payment made, and should the settler not proceed further withv his selection, and not intimate his intention ! of abandoning it, the Land Board was prevented from dealing with the land for some considerable time, whilst no use was being made of it. Experience had shown' that the payment of the first half-year's rent was a proof of a soldier's serious intention to become a settler. The letter was " received."

THE REYNOLDS SETTLEMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH—own correspondent.] CAMBRIDGE, Wednesday. The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution yesterday expressing the opinion that the quality of several sections taken up by returned soldiers on the Reynolds Estate afforded no indication of the quality of the remaining land on the estate, and that the trouble had arisen through the manner in which the Lands Department had subdivided the estate.