SOLDIER ADVANCES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10545, 23 March 1920, Page 5

SOLDIER ADVANCES

£14,000,000 TO DATE. REPAYMENTS SATISFACTORY. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie (Minister for Lands) referred yesterday to the fact that, as the latest return shows, some fourteen millions < sterling have been expended up to date by way or advances to and in the settling of returned soldiers. The first and second years, stated the Minister, might with, justice b© considered the most difficult so far as the soldier-settlers were concerned, but the finanoial position disclosed by the latest returns was absolutely satisfactory. “The amount involved in postponement of the payment of rentals, instalments of mortgages, and in the remission of rent on that large expenditure,’’ he added, totals only about £40,000, showing that evenconfidence may be placed in the future success of the returned soldier, settlements. It might not have been wondered at if the amount quoted had reached a much larger sum in the earlT* stages of development/ The same position is shown in regard to the_ advances made -under the repatriation scheme; namely, that the moneys dura, are coming in with much greater regularity than might have been .generally exuected.” The collection of money due to the Repatriation Department was also, etated the Minister, being rmt on a better footing. _ Special oollectors .irer© to 1)0 appointed m all tlio large centres. '