SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3773, 6 July 1926, Page 68

SOLDIER SETTLERS.

DEVALUATION OF LANDS. WELLINGTON, June 30. A singular omission from the scheme for revaluing soldier settlers' lands—namely, the non-provision for freeholders —is pointed out in a petition presented to Parliament to-day by one of the latter class, W. J. M'Burney, of Waerenga, Auckland. The petitioner says that his property was taken up in the first place after subdivision by a returned soldier, who failed to make a success of it. He (M'Burney) subsequently purchased the property from the Government outright. No fresh valuation wan made, but he was required to pay the value already placed upon the land, £2040, together with £686, being the loss which the Government had suffered through his predecessor's failure, including arrears of rent. Later other properties in the same settlement were revalued, and the holders were granted substan al concessions. However, as he was neither a lessee nor a licensee within the meaning of the Act he could obtain no relief, though the valuation placed on his property was plainly excessive. He points out that if he had not elected to buy outright for £2726 he could have obtained advances up to a limit of £3250, so that by his purchase the State was in all £5976 to the good. He prays that the original excess of £686 be refunded to him, that the property be revalued, and that he be paid the difference between the old and new valuations, a vote to be placed on the Estimates for the purpose.