TEMUKA CROWN LANDS FOR SOLDIERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21816, 20 November 1940, Page 3

TEMUKA CROWN LANDS FOR SOLDIERS

Rehabilitation After The War Question Given Thorough Consideration There was considerable discussion at a special meeting of the general committee of the Temuka branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association on Monday night when thorough consideration was given the question of the settlement of Crown lands by returned soldiers after the present war. A circular from headquarters entitled "Soldier Land Settlement” was discussed and a number of recommendations by a special committee were approved. Those present at the meeting were: Messrs A. R. Beck (president), W. Spillane, W. F. Evans, D. C. Scott, J. King, P. Thomas, W. Oldfield, J. L. Menzies, G. A. Paterson, C. C. Stanley and G. C. Tully. The recommendations which were unanimously agreed upon were as follows : “That only lands that are at the moment considered productive, or can be readily made productive, shall be offered to soldiers for settlement and that land even at present held by the Crown shall not be offered unless it meets the conditions named. “That in any scheme of land purchase, the vendor shall have the right to appeal to the Supreme Court of New Zealand: (a) As to the acquisition of his property; (b) As to a lair and reasonable price. “That on any body set up to deal with any phase of soldier land settlement there shall be adequate representation of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. Acquisition of Freehold “While not adopting a fixed attitude to the question of the right to acquire freehold, this branch regards the issue from the following standpoints: (a) Settlers placed on properties at the expense and risk of the people should not have the right to acquire the freehold of such properties; (b) land being a national asset, no individual should be allowed to acquire the sole right to it; (c) Since Crown lands are the property of the State, they should remain so.” This recommendation brought forward argument for and against, and an amendment was suggested that soldiers should have the opportunity of the choice of freehold or leasehold tenures. The amendment was defeated by six votes to four and the original recommendation was agreed to. The opinion was expressed that the entire question of the settlement of soldiers must be considered from a national point of view. Further recommendations were: “That the unimproved value should be based on the productivity of the land, less the value of improvements thereon, for a period. “That the rate of interest should not in any case exceed four per cent a year. “That in the case of stock advances collateral security over the lease, in addition to that over the stock, imposes an undue strain on many .settlers and is not conducive to a proper sense of security and that, therefore, the Crown should accept a greater measure of risk and so promote greater efficiency ultimately. Repayment Of Money “That under no circumstances shall the iniquitous practice of repayment of money advanced on stock and implements by orders on produce be permitted and that soldier settlers shall be subject on this connection to the generally acknowledged method of repayment by half-yearly or yearly instalments. “That this branch resolutely opposes the suggestion that, after a revaluation of improvements has been made by the Small Farms Board, there should be a reduction in favour of any incoming tenant, but that the latter be paid in full for his improvements. “That adequate measures be taken to reduce sales to a minimum in order to restrict the trafficking in Crown and that, therefore, no sales shall be permitted except on sufficient and valid grounds. Further, that in order to give effect to the proposals, the Small Farms Board shall be given greater powers than those of the present Land Board. “That even at considerable cost to the Government every possible practicable scheme shall be effected to ensure that soldier settlers shall be well prepared to take control of their farms with good prospects of success and that during any period of working under direction or supervision, or any other type of training, these men shall receive such remuneration as will enable them to maintain a good standard of living.” These recommendations will be sent to headquarters when the policy to be adopted will be finalised. Mr G. Harris was appointed the representative of th<e Temuka branch at the land conference at Wellington.

1, B. Leonard 2, A. Jones and G. Cameron (equal) 3. Boys (over 12) 75 yards: D. Sugrue 1, W. Leonard 2, G. Moore 3. Women's Events 100 yards: D. Pentecost 1, B. Devine 2, P. McPherson 3. Long jump: P. McPherson 1. D. Pentecost 2, B. Devine 3. Girls (under 12) 75 yards: E. Brown I, E. Hislop 2, V. Downes 3. CALEDONIAN SOCIETY A number of recommendations by the executive for the year’s programme were adopted by the directors of the Temuka Caledonian Society at a meeting on Monday evening. Those present were: Messrs W. J. Seeler (who presided), W. F. Evans, J. Preddy, J. King. A. Russell, L. Waters, R. L. Stokes. R. Martin, P. Macpherson and G. Paterson. It was agreed that sytecriptions for the year should be 5/- for men and women, the usual privileges to be granted members. , Arrangements were made for the Cinderella dance to be held on Boxing night, and an invitation will be sent to the Temuka Highland Pipe Band. Card evenings would be held weekly, beginning in April. It was decided to call monthly meetings of the directors during the year. PLUNKET DAY The annual district collection and shop day in aid of funds for the Plunket Society was held yesterday. More than £9O was collected and there are some other sums to be added to this. A list of collectors and helpers is as follows: Miss G. A. Brown (president), Mesdames A. S. Mclnnes (secretary), L. J. Wareing, G. Hancox, H. Wilson, J. South, S. B. Wightman, C. Cornwell, J. Ritchie, L. Whitehead, L. F. Robins, A. G. Foreman, D. Shannon, J Rooney, J. Brown, L. Gorman, F. Ruddenklau. H. Talbot, R. Galbraith, E. Mosley, J. L. Menzies, D. C. Duff, L. F. V. Ward, G. H. Mulligan, Lobb, G. Stewart, C. McClelland. A. W Buzan, C. Kelland, R. E. Thomason, G. Thomson, D. Louden. Misses Twentyman, M. Drake and H. Chalmers. The following assisted the effort with gifts:—Mr and Mrs A. W. Buzan, Mesdames’ G. Hancox and Shannon, Messrs K. Topham, L. Nicholas, Shepher' Bros, and the South Canterbury Electric Power Board.