SOLDIER SETTLERS' NEEDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20262, 23 May 1929, Page 12

SOLDIER SETTLERS' NEEDS.

RENTS AND STATE LOANS. MEASURE OF RELIEF SOUGHT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] MOERINSVILLE, Wednesday. Among the many deputations presented to llio Minister of Lands, Hon. G. W. Forbes, yesterday, during the last day of his tour, was one from the Kereone and Mangatepara soldier settlements, near Morrinsville. The major matter submitted concerned the lifting of bills cf sale over stock, a longer term for repayment of the indebtedness to the Government, the remission of deferred rents and a reversion to the old interest rate. Mr. 11. S. Herbert suggested that the current account of the settlers should be placed on the table mortgage basis. Most of the settlers, he said, had been on the settlements for about ten years and were there to stay. They had worked hard and it seemed as though they would have to continue to do so to repay the £750 mortgage to the Government in the allotted term of 15 years. They felt thoro should bo somo avenue of appeal for those settlers who were dissatisfied with the Government valuation of improvements. They asked the Government to give them a longer term for repayment of the £750. Mr. E. McPlierson said the soldier settlors desired the same terms for repayment as granted to civilian settlers under the State Advances Act. There was quite an appreciable difference, about £2 per £IOO, between the 20-year table and tho 35-year table mortgage rate. Discussing a request to wipe off arrears of rentals already deferred, the Minister said this was a matter for the consideration. of tho Minister of Finance. Mr. Forbes also indicated that he would not like to remit such debts in all Dominion areas similarly settled. It should, ho said, be remembered that as far as tho interest rate was concerned the Crown Lands Department w,as charged by tho Treasury for tho use of borrowed money. He would consider the requests made.