SETTLEMENT OF SOLDIERS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17477, 23 January 1919, Page 2

SETTLEMENT OF SOLDIERS.

PROTEST AGAINST REGULATIONS.

(Per Press Association.) HAWERA, Jan. 22. A meeting of the Returned Soldiers' Association jaet evening passed p, motion protesting against the regulations in connection with the Discharged Soldiers' Settiement Act. It was considered that> tlie Act as passed by Parliament was satisfactory, and the officials were willing to do their best for the men, but regulations had been added- which hindered tlie efficient administration. The grounds ot' the soldiers' complaint are : (I) That with regard to advances on" mortgage to assist relumed soldiers, the present application form requires three months' option by the owner of applicant, consequently it is only in exceptional cases that- the intending buyer and seller can afford to wait; (2) with regard to advances under bili of sale, security must be given not on'y for stock and chattels on the farm in respect of which money is lequired, but aiso over all other stock find chattels present and future of the applicant; (3) that all applicants must at their own expense appear personally before the Board, entailing long distances to travel and days-of los^ time, only with a prospect of. and not an assurance of, success ; (4) that the Land Board meets only monthly, and applications missing sth e current month's meeting are deferred a month; (5) all applications require th c Minister for Lands' approval, meaning a furrier delay, especially to those living far from centres.

The meeting considered that the conditions were altogether unnecessary, and 'thought thatt local boards, consisting of ceminternal and farming men, could be established in all smaller centres to oviercoine the present waste of time.