SOLDIER-SETTLERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11158, 14 March 1922, Page 6

SOLDIER-SETTLERS

CAUSES OF THEIR FAILURE 1 THE RS.A. EXECUTIVE DISCUSSES “UNI’OKTUNATE POSITION." “FAULT OF GOVERNMENT.” (Special to 'N.Z. Times.”) AUCKLAND. March 8. iStroag criticism of the settlement of soldiers under tho Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, to its detriment, was mads in the report of a special subcommittee to the executive of tbo Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association The chief points stressed had to do chiefly with over-priced land, lack of supervision, with a recommendation that tho communal basis should he introduced in respect to the settlement of lands by now farmers, thereby giving relief to unemployment. ABANDONED PROPERTIES. The report, after dealing with the conditions of purchase fcv soldiers of sol-’ diers’ homes suggested that where such properties had been abandoned the policy of tho first loss being the least loss should be adopted and the' properties transferred to- new applicants at a revaluation, tho loss, if any, to be borne by the Crown. In view of the greater cost under the 10 per cent, profit basis it was suggested that all buildings erected under the Act should be built by contract. -

Tho next portion of the report dealt with failures in connection with farmI ing,' many properties having been abandoned, end the ..contention was put forward that the position was entirely the fault of the Government, because many inoo-npetont and inexperienced men had been allowed to take on farms. “GROSSLY UNFAIR.” Tho present condition under which now applicants could take over abandoned properties was grossly unfair, the report asserted, “in almost every ease a large sum being owing to the board for arrears, and the stodk having depreciated in value.” Several other similar contentions were put forward. The suggestion in this connection was that tho only fair and equitable way to deal with those abandoned properties was for the Crown to suffer the ufirst loss and resell to new applicants at'a revaluation of farm, stock, and implements. Tho ieport went on to deal with the settlement'' of farm - lands by new farmers, whether soldiers or civilians, and advocated the purchase of good unimproved land in large blocks, and the starting Sf new settlements on a communal basis. The sub-committee contended that this scheme should have been adopted, by the government five -years ago; arid-, stressed the -fact that it was not now too late,. Because there were many men at present "unemployed, both soldiers, and civilians, who would eager ly accept such anvppportunit.v _ ( , LOANS FOR BUILDING. ' The report was adopted, the meeting stfongly, approving the principle that where Land Boards had recommended loans for the building of bouses and the consent of the Minister bad been refused because of the stoppage of pay. ments under, the- Act, the Government should grant; such -loans,;.' It was agreed, ’however, that advances should only be made where tho soldier had a contract with a builder, no loan to be approved , foe building or. tho 10 per cent, basis, ’The suggestions with regard to farm lands were also approved. It ’ was decided to forward copies of the resolutions to tile Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers, and to wait upon the various Ministers on their next visits to Auckland.