MINISTER OF LANDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12635, 21 May 1919, Page 5

MINISTER OF LANDS.

RECEIVES DEPUTATION. LAND AGGREGATION. [Pee Press Association.] DANNEVTR.KE, May 21. The Hon D. H. Guthrie, Minister of T/nnds, at Diuinevirke Inst evening, met a number of local deputationsOne deputation from returned soldiers urged the speedy opening up of the Tiratu block, an increase in the Government grant in specially approved cases, and an alteration in tenure to permit a soldier to buy out a neighbouring soldier who wanted to sell. The Minister held out no hope of permitting soldiers aggregating ;in this way and said the extension of tho present limit of advance was a matter for Cabinet. He said the Tiratu block will bo opened in July, and a ballot held in Dannevirke. Water supply for the block would be provided, and sections would range in area from 100 acres to 250 acresTho Minister was also approached by the Chamber of Commerce on the subject of land aggregation. He said ho was fully alive to what was going on and intimated that in certain cases under notice tho provisions of the Act of last session would be put into'force if tho present intention of suspected aggregators was carried out. Ho intended making an attempt to close a loophole in a clause of the Act relating to aggregation. Other matters dealing with the shortra_go of railway trucks, stock, repatriation and the electoral headquarters of the Pahiatua electorate were brought under the Minister’s notice and will be referred to the different Ministers concerned.