RIGHT TO FREEHOLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24738, 15 October 1941, Page 6

RIGHT TO FREEHOLD

SOLDIER SETTLERS A CHANGE OF POLICY OPPOSITION COMMENT

(0.C.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 14. “I could hardly believe my ears when the Minister of Finance said he would give the soldiers the right to acquire the freehold,” said the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, in the House of Representatives tonight, when speaking during the debate on the Rehabilitation Bill. Mr Holland was referring to the reply by Mr Nash to an interjection by Mr F. W. Doidge (Opposition. Tauranga)., Mr Nash had said that provision would be made for settling returned servicemen on the land, and provision would be made to sell the land. Mr Doidge: Does that mean that returned soldiers will be given the right to acquire the freehold? Mr Nash: Yes.

Mr Doidge: That’s great news. “We have for six years been hammering away on this thing,” said Mr Holland, who followed Mr Nash in the debate, “and does it not show ,what logical argument will do? We have the Government doing things we have asked, for six years. I want to thank the Minister of Finance for this provision and to thank ourselves for insisting on it and at last succeeding.” . ADMINISTRATION OF SCHEME SERVICEMEN TO BE REPRESENTED (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 14. “ Not only will servicemen be represented in a substantial way, but they will play an inspiring part in the administration of the whole scheme.” said the Minister of Industries and Commerce. Mr D. G. Sullivan, replying to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, during the debate on the Rehabilitation Bill in the House of Representatives to-night. Mr Sullivan added that the Government had seen that all sections were given an opportunity of being represented on all the. bodies dealing with, war-time problems. Though the scheme would be under the general direction of the Minister, it was contemplated that definite powers would be given to the board. “ I don’t know why Opposition members are so persistent in their attacks on Ministerial power,” Mr Sullivan said. “It is much more democratic to put power in the hands of a Minister than in the hands of a non-elected board. The Minister is the representative, not only of the Government, but also of Parliament, an] if anything is being done that is not right he is there to be questioned.” Mr Holland: You don’t answer our requests for returns. Mr Sullivan: If the honourable gentleman will wait a little I think ho will get complete satisfaction in that direction.