LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Southland Times, Issue 17533, 22 September 1915, Page 5

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

THE GOVERNMENT BILU (Special to the Times). WELLINGTON, September 21. A Bill providing for the settlement of discharged soldiers on Crown and Settlement lands, the title being the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Bill, was introduced into the House of Representatives by Governor’s message to-night. Copies of the Bill were not obtainable, but a summary of the proposals in it were given to a reporter by the Prime Minister. Mr Massey stated that the Bill empowered the Government to raise a sum of £50,000 for the purpose of assisting returned soldiers (who desired to do so) to go upon the land. It provided for assistance being given to these men in respect to w huilding bouses, and the purchase of stock, implements and other farming requisites. It defined the tenures under which land must be held, the tenures being practically the same as that prescribed for settlement lands- — the optional tenure. The Bill contained provisions against speculation in sections of land acquired under the scheme.