VALEDICTORY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11252, 3 July 1922, Page 3

VALEDICTORY

MR M'CLURE RETIRES APPRECIATION OF SERVICES BY MEMBERS OF LAND BOARD. RETURNED SOLDIERS’ FRIEND. Mr G. H. M. McClure, who has resigned the position of Commissioner of Crown Lands in the Wellington distinct, .v.is last week farewelJcd by members of the board. After quoting how the operations of the board had increased since the passing of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, Mr McClure thanked the members of the hoard for the wholehearted support that had been accorded him. (Mr McClure's remarks will be found under a separate heading.) “ENERGY AND HARD WORK.” air Id. T. Ellingham said he felt very sorry indeed that this was the last mooting a t which Air McClure would preside. He stated, with great pleasure, the great amount of work Mr McClure had done in New Zealand, and he thought the soldiers in thin district should be thankful for the energy and hard work Air AlcClure had put in on their behalf. No doubt the soldiers of New Zealand did not realise the enormous amount of work the Land Board are putting through on their behalf, and that, as far as the soldiers were concerned, though they were up against tho hard times and depression, had it not been for the liberal land laws which were passed in the interests of the soldiers of New Zealand and for the liberal manner in which the Government had treated them, he did not know where they would have been to-day. From soldiersettlements he had inspected, and from the instructions the soldiers wero receiving, ho was of opinion that 75 to 90 per cent, would come out on top. In some cases, he said, where estates were purchased at a high figure, complaints were made by the general public, hut nothing was said about the estates which were purchased-at very low figures. Air Ellingham, speaking as the Crown tenants’ representative, and on behalf of tho Crown tenants, wished to thank Mr AlcCluro for all the assistance rendered, and also the staff, who had helped to a very great extent. Air Ellinghnm also stated he was very sorry to think that the district was losing the Commissioner after seven years’ hard work, and could only say he wished Air AlcClure would live a long time to see the result of his work. BOARD HAD DONE ITS BEST.

Air Joseph Dawson said that, in the early days in New Zealand, he always had a good deal to do with the surveyors, and knew Mr McClure in those days when he was a surveyor. He had had a good deal of the “ups and downs” of most of the early settlers, and had worked himself up to tho position of Commissioner. Not many surveyors, he said, could take the position, as there are not very many positions vacant. Air Dawson said -he was very sorry Mr AlcClure was leaving, and hoped it was for the best; hut whatever Air AlcClure did -he hoped he would benefit by it. There was no doubt about the sympathy Mr AlcClure has had, and the Hon. Minister for Lands also, with the soldiers.

Air Dawson added that there was a good deal of talk about what the board had done, and -ho thought it had done its very best with Mr McClure as chairman. He concluded by mentioning the manner in which the staff had assisted him since he had been on the board. “STRENUOUS TIMES.” Air J. Georgetti said that he stood with a clear conscience as a member of the board, and could say that the soldiers of New Zealand were extremely fortunate in having a Commissioner, board, and Alinister that had done their utmost for them. He remarked on the strenuous times the board had and also the way everybody had to work, under high pressure, but could look back with satisfaction on the work done. Many of the soldiers, he said, when they came before the hoard, stated they were practical farmers, but how could they be, when they were only college hoys when they left foT tho front? These hoys went on the farms, and received instruction infarming and every assistance to make them practical farmers. “NEVER SPARED HIAISELF.”

Air Georgetti stated that Air AlcCluro never lost an Opportunity in assisting the settlers. .He was instrumental in obtaining the water supplies for Putorino, Cloverlea, and Kairanga Settlements, and quite recently had arranged to clear Alataikona and put it in a state that, when it was taken up, tho soldiers would go on to clean farms, and be in a position to make headway at once. He added that tho board was quite prepared to take the blame for section 2 transactions when it was at fault, but lie maintained that farms bought under ’ section 2 had nothing to do with the board beyond making the recommendation. The sections were selected by soldiers themselves, and in a great many instances by soldiers brought up in the immediate vicinity, w'ho stated they could do well, and purchased at higher prices than the board considered they were worth. As a member of the Land Purchase Board, he stated the board had Jbeon criticised on the purchases made. Ho was not speaking for "Wairarapa, hut between Wellington and Taumarunui, and stated it was said that no commercial firm would pay 50 per cent, for the land bought in that district. That statement, ho said, was mislead, ing. The hoard had bought land at reasonable prices, and if offered to-day would realise the prices paid. Air Georgetti expressed regret that it was necessary for Air AlcClure to retire as chairman of the hoard, and he trusted he would live long and enjoy some of the interests of his hard work. Mr AlcClure had never spnred himself, and he wished to thank him for the manner in which ho had carried out his work os Commissioner. “TRANSFORAIATTON OF THE COUNTRY.” Air C. Alclntyre regretted very much having to say good-hye to Mr AlcClure, and congratulated him on tho transformation of the country during his term of office, and also on the choice of his future work. He was quite sure that Air McClure’s integrity and ability would fit him for the position. Air McClure’s reply given in extenso in another column of this issue.