REVALUING SOLDIER FARMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18678, 7 April 1924, Page 8

REVALUING SOLDIER FARMS.

Mr. Massed s statement' concerning the work of the Dominion Revaluation Board indicates that very considerable relief has already been afforded to soldier settlers. The task of the • board and the district advisory committees has been no light one. The number of applications for revaluation and assistance is not available, and the amount of work remaining is consequently beyond present estimation; but the making of about eight hundred determinations has occasioned much first-hand inspection of farms widely scattered throughout the Dominion, the detailed consideration of very varied appeals, and the arrangement of manifold relief to fit the particular needs made known .to the board. In this way the Government's instructions, that the soldier settlers were to be given fair and full assistance, has been carried out to the letter. When the Minister's report is laid before Parliament it will be possible to gauge the board's work in detail, but that its task has been accomplished so far with thoroughness and satisfaction to the soldier settlers is evidenced by the negligible number of applications for reconsideration, after the board's findings have been communicated. The history of the soldier settlements is far from a happy .one- The scheme was launched badly. It was ill-considered, in spite of grave and repeated warnings, and, as a result, it entailed extravagant expenditure, and yet involved the soldier settlers in grievous hardship. Review and revision became inevitable. That revision, must involve the country in heavy loss, but it is better so $han that great numbers of soldier settlers should be broken in attempting to do the impossible.