EVICTION OF SETTLER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23970, 21 May 1941, Page 10

EVICTION OF SETTLER

MINISTER'S EXPLANATION (0.c.) ROTOK.UA, Tuesday In reply to a strong protest by the Rotorua Returned Soldiers' Association concerning an eviction order obtained by the Lands and Survey Department against a returned soldier settler in the district, the .Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, forwarded n statement to the association. The .Minister said that, while it was stated that tlio department had taken lil years to decide the settler was unsuitable, it would be fairer to say he had been allowed to retain his section for many years in spite of an unsatisfactory state of affairs. After reviewing various concessions made to the settlor, the Minister said that forfeiture was considered in 1929, and in 19:11. on the recommendation of the Land Board, the then Minister of Lands approved forfeiture. As a result of representations, however, the settler was given another chance. Forfeiture was resorted to only as a last resort, and it was with great reluctance that the department terminated the lease of any settler, especially a returned soldier. All reports, however, showed a lack of real effort to make a success of the place. "Much is made in your statement about the son serving in the Xavy and of the department not waiting until he comes back to the %irm after the cessation ol\ hostilities," said the Minister, "but the son left the farm in 19:i8. before the war started, and it would be some years before he could return. It is evident that he preferred a sailor's life to remaining 011 the farm."