SOLDIERS AND THE LAND BALLOT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17532, 25 January 1919, Page 7

SOLDIERS AND THE LAND BALLOT.

POSITION OF THE MEN WHO WEBB IN CAMP.

There is considerable doubt in the mind of soldiers who were in camp, but who/did not leave New Zealand, as to their right to participate in a ballot for Govenm*U iana. me position of these men was stated in. these cokinms a fortnight ago . and' though our statement has been questioned by some of our northern contemporaries there appears to be no doubt that the men referred to do not possess the right to compete for Government balloted land. Tfca* is the answer given to the many men who apply for information at the Grown Lands Umce in Dunedin. ' '.-.. .■ vl

Section 18 of the Repatriation Act wade: ■in addition to the persona referred to irt l section 2 of tie Discharged Soldiers'' Settl- ' inent Act, 1915, the following pWras shall ' bo deemed to be discharged soldiers -within the meaning, and for the purposes, of eeotion 2 of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Amendment Act, 1917—namely all discharged members of an Expeditionary ' a orce who having been classed ae medicaUy fit (whether absolutely or contingently) for service boyond the seas, hxve servedae members of that force in a camp of military - training, and remained attached to that ' camp on the 12th day of November, 1918, being the date of the cessation of hostilities , wxtfa Germany." The effect of the clause - is this: Soldiers who were or are attached to a military camp of training on November 12 last, and who were olassed as medi- ' caUy fit for service beyond New Zealand, may apply for financial assistance 'for the ''' following purposes (as set out-in section 2)- ' (a) The purchase of the fee-eimplo of any '" private land or Native land, together -with the improvements thereon. (b) The acquisition by assignment or ' transfer of any lease of any Grown land, -• settlement land, or other land administered-' by a Land Board. •

■ (c).Tho clearing-, fencing, draining, and general improvement (including, the erection of buildings) of any land owned in fee-simple by a discharged soldier. . (d) The discharge of any mortgage affecting any land owned in fee-simple by a diecharged soldier, or affecting any land administered by a Land Board, and held by a discharged soldier under lease or license. (e) The purchase of plant, implements, stock, seeds, plants, trees, and saoh other things as may be deemed neocssary for the successful occupation of any land owned in fee-simple by a discharged soldier. Section 3 enables any discharged eoldier, or any two or more discharged soldiers, to make application to the Land Board with a. view to the acquisition by the Crown on his or their behalf of any. private land. For the further information of soldiers who have been in camp and not abroad, it may be stated that the financial' assistance afforded is as under t—Up to £1000 for Hie purchase of dwelling-houses, up to £2500 for the purchase of farms, and up to £500 for improvements, such as stock, implements, buildings, ete. The rate of interest is 5 per oent;