QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1923, Page 5

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT.

SOLDIER SETTLEMENTS. LEGISLATION EXPECTED. (By Wire—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. Legislation respecting soldiers’ lands is expected during the present session, and members are exhibiting considerable interest in the subject. In the House to-day by the following question was asked by Mr. R. Masters (Stratford). “If, after the boards set up to report in connection with the values of land purchased by the Government fbr soldier settlement, it is decided to reduce the price previously paid by the soldiers, he will give instructions to Land Beards where sections are unoccupied, caused through the soldier forfeiting on account of the price paid being unduly high, or being foreclosed upon by the State, that such soldiers shall be given the first option of taking up tho land at the reduced valuation.”

Mr. F. Langstone (Waimarino) askor whether, in view of the amount invested in soldier settlement, it was the intention of the Government to establish stock depots, thus facilitating the exchange of stock and doing away with heavy charges. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M. Wilford) intends to ask in the House whether, in view of the policy adopted of compelling members of the post and telegraph staff with 40 years of service to resign, it is proposed to adopt the same policy with regard to officers of the Railway Department.

The proposed school of forestry is still in the condition of providing food for question. Mr. A. Harris (Waite-mat-a) informed the House to-day that he intended formally to ask the Minister concerned if it had been decided where the school-was to be established.