LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11847, 31 May 1919, Page 5

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Per Press Association. Christchurch, May 30. The land question was diesussed by the Returned Soldier’ Conference, and the Land Committee submitted a comprehensive policy. It provides for taking the matter of acquiring County lands for soldiers out of the hands of Land Boards and transferring it to new public committees which it is proposed to set up, each such committee to have the power of direct action,, subject only to the veto of Ministers in charge of repatriation. Each committee is to have its own district, and for this purpose the existing repatriation districts are to he adopted. Each is to consist of three members, one appointed by the Gov-ernor-in-Council, one by the R. S. A., and one by an A. and P. Asociation to be nominated by the Goveru-or-in-Council. It is proposed f arther that the amount of advances for the purchase of stock and implements be increased to £1250. Attention is drawn to the necessity of encouraging the settlement of unimproved lands and fostering the milling and mining industries and preventing inflation of the price of laud. Mr Stringer (Waikato) moved the adoption of the policy. He contended that the present land machinery was ont of date aud the Association's scheme was sound, practicable and, above all, workable. After discussion, the policy, with minor amendments, was adopted.