LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 14930, 28 November 1918, Page 7

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS

Satisfactory progress is being made with the settlement of discharged sol-i diers on the land, remarked. Sir Joseph 1 Ward in his "Budget" speech, and members of the Expeditionary ■ ForczJ are taking advantage of the facilities afforded them for acquiring holdings. Eighteen settlements were purchased from private ownews during the year ended 31st March, 1918. Of these, thirteen have been subdivided and opemvl for ■ selection. Other suitable lanus, both Crown and settlement, have also been niade available for selection. The total ,area formally proclaimed under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, up to the 31st March, 1918, was 894,219 acres. y . A considerable number, of discharged men are availing themselves of the i benefits provided by sections 2 and S of the Discharged Soldiers Setdin-eur. ! Act, 1917.

The licenses, over a number of Jaigc pastoral runs in the South Island have expired and have not been reviewed. Tlie.se runs are suitable for sub'l'.i.i&ion and in order that soldiers now <>n active 1 service may 'be afforded an opportunity of securing land the runs have T-een temporarily let, and it is pro(;M-el tlun they shall be subsequently .-übdivided rand, offered for permanent settlement.

It is anticipated that the scheme for settling discharged soldiers will be quitisuccessful, notwithstanding the fact that great initial difficulties will Siave to be encountered owing to the j rev niling high prices for fencing -and Uiidin.u material.

At the present time thrive is no difficulty in meeting the ilcnviuil by :h^.charged soldiers for lan-l. This, however, is attributed to '.lie f.-it-t time u\u^\ oi: the men returning to the Domiu'on are not physically fit, and cannot therefore undertake laborious farm-work. Owing to the large increase in t3ie number of applications received it i,-: imperative that the amount authorised to be raised under the provisions of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act— namely, £500,000 —be increased to £1,500,000 and legislative provision wil! be made accordingly. Under the provisions of section G of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 191;;, advances were authorised and j made'to discharged-soldicr settlers from itho inception of the Act to the Clr/t March., 1018, as follows: — | ' The. advances made to' 423 sol- £ diers towards the improvei merit of their lauds, for the j erection of buildings, and for thn purchase of stock and . v farming implements arnount- | eel to ... .......... ... M4 } 274 • Repayments; en account of ' principal .sums ... ... ... 0.330 j Balance remaining on' mortgage in respect of principal at 31st March amounted to .:. ... £134 gg.j. Advances authorised to 668 soldiers. .amounted to ... £190,911