RETURNED SOLDIER TOOK UP LAND TOO HIGHLY VALUED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18890, 15 October 1929, Page 11

RETURNED SOLDIER TOOK UP LAND TOO HIGHLY VALUED.

APPLIES FOR RELIEF FROM LIABILITY. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, October 14. The treatment of returned soldiers who get into difficulties with their payments to the Lands Department was the subject of a brief -discussion in the House to-night, when the Lands Committee reported on the petition of a returned soldier, Norman Randal M’Murtry, of Marlborough, who prayed for relief from liability in respect of lands at Kikawa Settlement, taken up by him under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act. The committee recommended the petition to the' Government for favourable consideration. Mr Healy, member for Wairau, who had presented the petition, explained that it was another case of a soldier who took up land too highly valued and failed to make a success. He bought at £2500, with stock, etc, at £BOO, and there was an advance of £j3060 from the Government. Petitioner could not pay his way, and was obliged to walk off, when the land was sold for £1436, and he was indebted to the Go\emment for the difference between that sum and the Government’s advances. The whole reason for failure was the high price of the land, and its real value was shown by the fact that adjoining country was being used for tree planting. Several members expressed sympathy with M’Murtry, Mr Mason (Auckland Suburbs) taking the critical line that the Lands Department tormented soldiers who failed by following them up in regard to their debts, which put them in a hopeless position. The Hon T. M. Wilford, ActingLeader of the House, remarked that the discussion would have been of great interest to the Minister of Lands, but it was hardly fair to suggest of the. present or the former Government that they tormented soldiers who failed on their sections. The returned soldiers of New Zealand had been treated bettsr than anywhere else in the world. It was difficult to sit still under such imputations, but he was glad to recognise that other members’ speeches had been helpful, and he could assure them that the Government would not be unmind ful of any favourable recommendation and if it could be carried out it would be done.