SOLDIERS’ LOANS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16625, 6 January 1922, Page 7

SOLDIERS’ LOANS.

SUSPENSION OF PRIVILEGES. DEPUTATION TO M.P.’S. The Rev W. Walker (president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association) and several other members of the association waited on the Canterbury members of Parliament committee to-day and placed before it cases of hardship caused by the Government suspending privileges under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act, which provides for Government loans to discharged soldiers for buying sections and building houses. The deputation was introduced by Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P. Several Christchurch builders attended. The chairman (Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P.) said that he had submitted several oases to the Hon I>. H. Guthrie, who said that he had no money. Mr Walker said that soldiers were feeling the pinch. It was only by consulting members of Parliament that remission could be obtained. During the past three years the Government had granted loans for houses in order to help soldiers to settle down. They, at the invitation of the Government, had applied for loans for houses and sections. The Land Boards had made the investigations so efficiently that practically all the recommendations of the boards, especially in Canterbury, were approved. It became merely a formal matter as far as the Ministry was concerned. Things worked well until November last. The Prime Minister had stated that at least twelve months’ notice would be given that the privileges would be withdrawn. Mr Guthrie had repeated the statement. Ministers now said that the privileges were not withdrawn, but were merely suspended. Practically, they were withdrawn. In any case, on the statements made, many soldiers h;fd entered into commitments. They now found that the privileges were withdrawn at a moment’s notice. Mr Walker quoted several individual cases in Canterbury, fn North Brighton, he said, an application was granted in October for £9OO, but the soldier, although the house was almost completed, had no money to meet progress payments. In another case a loan of £IO2O was granted iii October. The soldier had paid the deposit, and had let the contract, and the builder now was pressing him. Cn another case the soldier would lose his deposit. Those cases were typical of a large number. The soldiers were faced with heavy losses. Men who had helped the country out of a bole now asked the coun-< try to help them out of the hole into which they had been forced. Like other people, they would have to do their best in the present circumstances, but it was onlv right that the country should help them in some way. Men who had got into difficulties should have first chance with any money that might be available. Mr Walker repeated suggestions hv the Returned Soldiers’ Association as to how the Government should obtain money, including the compulsory raising of the balance of the loan of £6,000,000. This year, he concluded, many immigrants would come to New Zealand, and houses must be obtained for them,- making it more necos-nry for the Government to help soldiers to build their own houses. A member of the deputation said that his application for a loan of £775 to build a house on land already owned by him was granted by the Canterbury Land Board in August. He began to build about September 1. The builder , wanted a progress payment of £4OO and the board’s inspector made an inspection in the middle of November. On December 2 he received the following letter: —“ With reference to your application for an advance under the D.S.S. Act, I have to inform you that owing to the deplet'on in funds, the Land Board’s recommendation has not been approved. If advances are resumed at any time, :t will be necessary . for you to renew -'our application.— G. W. Bullard, Commissioner of Crown Lands.” Mr R. E. Nightingale said that he, as secretary of the Builders’ Association, had received letters and reports show ing that many cases of hardship had come under the notice of builders. Builders bad contracted to erect houses, only to find that the loans, although approved, had been refused. In the case of one builder alone, the sum of £8663 was involved. Mr Walker said that the valuation fees and architects’ fees had been paid. The Minister for Lands had instructed that the valuation lee in each case should be returned, but it was a poor salve, as it amounted to only about £2 The Hon 11. Moore, M.L.C., said that some help should be given in the most urgent cases at least. If the soldiers could finance their transactions they should do so without calling on the Government. The disabled men were in a worse position than those who had their health and strength, although the latter might not have what they feit they should have. Mr 11. Lloyd said that the Minister should have given notice of the withdrawal of the privileges. Mr 3. M’Combs, M.P., said that the Finance Minister, Mr Massey, not Mr Guthrie, should be approached, The. soldiers could put up a case to show that compulsion should be applied to the balance of the discharged soldiers’ settlemdnt loan. There was between £500,000 and £600,000 received for reparation from Germany, and transferred to the war expenses account, otherwise the revenue account. It could be used for discharged soldiers’ settlements. Other sums could be obtained. He had no doubt that the Minister of Finance, if he had a mind to do so, could'find a way out. Mr G. Witty, M.P., said that members were in sympathy with the soldiers. The same could be said of Mr Massey and Mr Guthrie. The trouble had been caused by the great accumulation of applications and the overloading on account of too many applications being granted at the beginning. Mr Massey and Mr Guthrie were doing their best. Mr Sullivan said that the statements made by the deputation would induce members to further urge the Government to reconsider the position. The Hon G. J. Smith, M.L.C., said that soldiers had the deep sympathy of members of both Houses. He thought that the Department- was to blame for some of the delay. He did not think that if the compulsory clauses ■were put into operation to-morrow the loan would be obtained. The chairman said that a joint interview, representing all soldiers in the ' country, should be arranged with Mr Massey and Mr Guthrie. The fact that Mr Massey had given an assurance that there would be twelve months notice of suspension was a powerful lever, as Mr Massey was a man of his word. Mr Walker said that the chairman’s suggestion would be acted upon.