RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19201, 18 June 1924, Page 8

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

EXECUTIVE MEETING. The usual executive meeting of the Dunedin. Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last night, the president (Mr J. M'Crae) occupying tho chair. There was a good attendance of delegates. Three new members wore elected, and six transfers out and two transfers in were approved. One re-issue of membership was granted, and the death of one member was reported. Thirteen resignations were accepted with regret. THE WILDEN RUNS. Mr R. T. Sadd (ex-Commissioner of Crown Lands) appeared before the executive to explain the subdivision of the Wilden runs. The meeting went into committee, and, alter a lengthy discussion, Mr Sadd’s report was inferred to the Lands Committee for consideration.—Air Sadd was thanked for his explanation of the position. SUPPLY OF TREES. The Secretary (Mr A. C. Laing) reported that he had written to the Hon. D. H. Guthrie (Minister of Lands) in reference to the free supply of forest trees to soldier settlers in the following terms: —“In previous years a grant of 1000 forest trees free had been available to soldier settlers for planting as shelter belts, etc. This year he had been advised that the grant had been withdrawn. No intimation of the withdrawal of the grant had previously been made, and a number of soldier settlors who, in anticipation of the grant, had made preparations for the planting of trees, and who, in some instances, had gone lo the expense of fencing, etc., now found that they had been disappointed. He asked whether an amount could be placed upon the Estimates to permit of the allocation of tho trees during the next season.” The Minister of Lands replied as follows: —“I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of June 5 regarding the withdrawal of the free supply of trees to discharged soldiers, and I have to advise that it is regretted that the grant of free trees cannot bo renewed this year. —(Signed) D. H. Guthrie.” The letter was received, and the secretary was instructed to write to the Minister of Lands urging the necessity of the department again supplying free trees to exsoldier settlers. REMISSION OF RATES. Tho Hon. W. Downie Stewart wrote acknowledging the receipt of the association’s letter asking him to endeavour to get a clause put in the Washing-up Bill which would enable tho Dunedin City Council, if it so desired, to grant remission of rates on the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association. The Dunedin City Council had agreed to this, and had forwarded the following resolution to the Prime Minister: —“That in the opinion of this council legislation should be passed permitting local authorities to remit all, or any portion of, tho rates on the Returned Soldiers’ Club, and that a copy be forwarded to the Minister of Internal Affairs with tho request that such authority be inserted in the Local Bodies Act of this session.” The only objection to this was that it referred to all clubs. It would perhaps bo better for the Dunedin City Council and the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association to fix up their rates for a start, and then other branches of the association could take up The matter individually. Mr Stewart replied that he would take an early opportunity of talking the matter over with the Minister of Internal Affairs —The letter was received. PASTORAL RUNS. The Under-SecretarJ, Department of Lands and Survey, wrote in reply to the association’s letter requesting the department to supply a list of licenses of pastoral runs in the Otago and Southland Land Districts which would expire within the next two years. Ho presumed that this request was made by the association under the impression that tho Crown could deal absolutely as it pleased with pastoral runs at the expiry of existing licenses. This was not quite tho case, as the association would perceive on a perusal of section 56 of “The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1913,” and of section 27 of “The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1914.” On the expiration of a pastoral license the licensee was entitled to receive a new license of the run at a rent to be fixed by arbitration if the Governor-General determined that the whole of the run was again to be let for 'pastoral purposes. In the event of a determination that a pastoral rim was to be subdivided for closer settlement (which determination, as provided by section 9 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, was made where practicable not later than two years prior to the expiration of the lease), the licensee under the expired lease was entitled to select one of the subdivisions. In these circumstances, the writer was of the opinion that the particulars the association asked for, which would take some time and trouble to compile, would not be of much value to it. The secretary was instructed to write stating that the association had made the request with a full knowledge of the sec-tions-of-the Acts quoted, and the association still desired the Department of Lands and .Survey to provide the list of licenses of pastoral runs which would expire within tho next two years.