LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16501, 31 July 1919, Page 2

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

QUESTION OF RATES. “LOCAL BODIES TO BEAR LOSS'. Mr, AV. T. Jennings, ALP., recently wrote to tho Minister of Lands (tho Hon. D. n. Guthrie) suggesting that the Government should pay rates accruing on land for soldiers between the time of purchase, by the Crown and.or selection by soldiers. In jus reply the Alinisicr states: “I have given the matter careful consideration, and find that it would be verv difficult, in fact, impossible, to ascertain what the probable annual cost would he if it were decided to do this. In some cases tho settlements are quickly disposed of, hut in some cases sections remain open for a long time. , "Some county councils have agreed that soldier settlers in their districts should have rales remitted for periods up to four years, although they have objected to bearing the whole cost of tbo concession. In one case the. local body has already, by special resolution, remitted one year’s rates. "The roads made by the Government when subdividing properties acquired for settlement invariably benefit tho district as a whole, and, moreover, the local body is not called upon to pay any of the cost. Reserves for public purposes, metal, etc., are frequently made. Those roads and reserves, of course, benefit the, district as a whole, and incidentally tho local authority obtains the other heiicats that accrue from tho increase in population. “For tho reasons mentioned, and in view of the liabilities now being incurred in connection with the settlement of discharged soldiers on the lands in question, I regret that at the present lime I cannot recommend tho Government to pay the rales on lands purchased for the settlement of soldiers between Ihc dales of acquisition by the Crown and disposal to tho soldier settler. It is my opinion that local bodies should bear this, in most cases, small loss, and thus help to establish discharged soldiers online land with the best possible chances of success.”