N.Z. RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 31 May 1919, Page 6

N.Z. RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

LAND SETTLEMENT REFORM. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 30.' The land question was discussed by the Returned Soldiers’ Conference, and the land committee submitted a comprehensive pokey. It provides for taking the matter of acquiring country lauds for soldiers out of the hands of land boards, and transferring it to the new public committees which it is proposed to set up. Each such committee is to have power of direct action, subject only to the veto of the Minister in charge of repatriation. Each committee is to have its own district, and for this purpose the existing repatriation districts are to be adopted. Each new public committee is to Consist of three members, one appointed by the Gover-nor-in-Council, one by the Returned Soldiers' Association, and one by an agricultural and pastoral association, to bo nominated by the Governor-in-Couneil.

It is proposed, further, that the amount of advances for the purchase of stock and implements bo increased to £1230- Attention is also drawn to the necessity ot encouraging the settlement on unimproved lands and fostering milling and mining industries, and also preventing the inflation of the price of land.

Mr. Stringer (Waikato) moved the adoption of the policy. He contended that the present land machinery was out of date, and tho association’s scheme was sound', practicable and, above all, workable. After discussion, the policy, with minor amendments, was 'adopted.