SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 22

SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

STATEMENT BY MR RANSOM. CHALLENGED BY A SETTLER. DANNEVIRKE, March 7. Reverting to the recent controversy between the Minister of Lands (Mr A. D. M'Leod) and Mr E. A. Ransom, M.P. for Pahiatua, on the matter of soldier settlement, Mr James Gray writes to the Evening News concerning the statement bv Mr Ransom that the land he (Mr Ransom) offered to the Government was situated at Rua Roa, and consisted of 655 acres of well-improved land, and that he subsequently sold 254 acres of this holding at £52 IDs per acre, the owner being well satisfied with his bargain ; that the balance of 401 acres Mr Ransom still owned, and it was a very good holding at the price at which it was, offered to the Crown.

Mr Gray says : “ The statement is misleading, as no actual sale took place. Mr Ransom, owing to financial reasons, made an adjustment in connection with a property that he purchased from me at Akitio. It suited my convenience to make an adjustment. I would not otherwise have considered the Rua Roa property. Mr Ransom would lead the public to believe that he still holds 401 acres which he values at the price of the adjustment. This is only part of the truth. Mr Ransom certainly still holds the title to this property, but retains it for reasons best known to himself, under mortgage to me. That makes him merely the nominal owner. I regret that my private affairs should be dragged into the controversy, but I have no option, as Mr Ransom has put his political interests above the proper statement of the facts. Mr Ransom had no authority from me to state that I was well satisfied with my bargain.”