LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16894, 5 July 1918, Page 4

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

PURCHASE OF ESTATES. OWNERS TAKE WAR BONDS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN correspondent.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. The Minister for Lands, Hon. D. H. Guthrie, comments on the facility with which the Government has been able to secure suitable areas of improved lands for the settlement of returned soldiers and the financial terms acceptable to the owners. "Land for war bonds" seems to be a slogan with many patriotic landowners in New Zealand, and if this idea I grows, the principal part of the repatriation problem will be solved. "I am keenly anxious to get the general public interested in this question," remarked Mr. Guthrie, "and I want to see a live interest in it, not confined to official circles. We will welcome any assistance and suggestions of a practical nature." The Minister added that he had recently been able to purchase, on advantageous terms, desirable properties suitable for returned soldiers, and that there werequite a number of other properties in different parts of Now Zealand under offer. He had under consideration the desirability of relieving the Land Purchase Board of the inspection of the smaller properties, and getting the work done by officers of the Lands Department, togethor with en outside reliable man. This would expedite purchase. The Government had recently bought somo fine blocks of land at reasonable rates. One of these properties is on Lake Wairarana, near Peatherston, owned by Mr. J. Bidwell, having an area of 2187 acres of good land.