LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17483, 27 November 1918, Page 3

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE

In hi& Budget Statement to the House of Representatives yesterday Sir Joseph Ward said:—

Satisfactory progress is beinsr made with the settlement of discharged soldiers on tho land, and members of the Expeditionary JTorce are taking advantage- of the- facilities afforded them for acquiring holdings. Eighteen settlements were purchased from private owners during tho year ended 31st March, 1918. Of these, 13 have been subdivided and opened for selection. Other auitablo lands, both Grown and settlement, have also been made available for selection. The total area formally proclaimed under "The Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, 1915," up to the 31st March, 1918, was 294,219 acres.

A considerable number of discharged men ere availing themselves of the benefits provided by sections 2 and 3 of "Tho Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, 1917." The licenses over & number of large pastoral runs in the South Island have expired and have not boon- renewed. These runs aro suitable for subdivision, and in order that soldiers now on active service may be afforded an (Opportunity of securing , land the runs have been temporarily let, and it is proposed that they shall bo subsequently subdivided and offered for permanent settlement.

It is anticipated that the scheme for eettlintr discharged soldiers will be quite successful, notwithstanding the fact that great initial difficulties will have- to be encountered owing to the prevailing high prices for fencing and building material. At tho present time there is no difficulty in meeting the demand by discharged soldiers for land. This, however, is attributed to the fact that many of the men returning to tho dominion are not physically fit, and cannot therefore undertake laborious farm ■Work.

Owing to the large increase in ftio nranVer of applications received .it is imperative ihat the amount authorised to be raised nnder the provsicms of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act—namely, £500,000 — be increased to £1,500,000, and legislative provision will bo made accordingly. Under the provisions of section 6 of "The Discharged Soldiers* Settlement Act, 1915," advances were authorised and made to discharged soldier settlers from the inception of the Act to the 31st March, 1918, as follows:— The advances made to 423 sokßers towards the improvement of thenlands, for the erection of buildings, and for the pnrchase of stock and farming implements amounted to _....-.„_ £144,274 Repayments on account of principal sums !.„_ — ...__ ... 9,380 remain ing on juortg&£& in respect of principal at 31st March amounted to ... £134-,894 Advances authorised fo 668 soldiers amounted to ... :.. .- ... „ £190,911