EX-SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15309, 9 August 1923, Page 5

EX-SOLDIER SETTLERS.

A CREDITABLE RECORD. OVER 50 PER CENT. MAKE GOOD. BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT. By Telegraph.—Special to Times. WELLINGTON," August 8. "Many people believe," said Hon. YV. P. Masscy, in moving the second reading of the Bill " that the soldier settlement scheme has been a failure. That is not the case. A little over 50 per cent, of the soldier settlers have been successful, according to the information supplied in the reports of the Inquiry Boards and Land Boards; 32 per cent, of them have been what 1 may lerm temporarily unsuccessful, or partially successful, and 18 per cent, have failed. Invitations had been sent, he said, to 7G25 soldier settlers to appear before the Inquiry Boards. Of that number 4322 have accepted, showing that there was a very large percentage of them that had made good.

Mr Wllford's Approval

Mr T. M. Wilford voiced the approval of the Liberal Labour Party of the Bill. He endorsed the principle of district revaluation, but deprecated the postponement of rents as tending to merely worry the soldiers, and suggested a gift of arrears for all time. He urged caution in regard to the clause that no Government mortgage be reduced till all others had been discharged, and said that unless something were put in to bring the second mortgagees to heel the words had no business there. Any reduction of a first mortgage where there was a second mortgage would weaken the Government's position. Second mortgagees of soldiers would be wise to reduce the mortgages if they wished prompt payments. The losses would probably exceed the Premier's estimate, which would probably be repeated by the announcement of a similar additional sum annually. A Hopeful View.

Hon. C. J. Parr took a more hopeful view. Many soldiers could dispose of their farms at a profit. When the purchases were made land values had been increased by export prices, and soldiers had to contend with the succeeding depression. The average soldier had done as well on the land as the average civilian farmer. He suggested the postponements were for the term of the mortgage, and asked the question, "Would a gift of arrears to a man who had not made good be fair to a man who had made success of hard work?" The mortgage problem would best be met by a round table conference of all mortgagees, the soldiers and the Government, but the second mortgagee would be wise to reduce the mortgages.,. The Government must saieguard the soldiers against rapacious second mortgagees. Mr F. Lye (Waikalo) said the Bill was in the right direction. He urged the inclusion of a clause giving the-, settlers the right to call and give evidence in support of their application for a reduction in rent or for a revaluation.

A Review. Mr Massey reviewed the financial results of soldier settlement. The total funds raised under the authority of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act for loans to soldiers amount to £20,036,905. Of this amount £304,435 was raised during the financial year. From the commencement of the operations under the Act to the close of the year advances amounting to £21,278,222 were authorised to 21,584 returned soldiers. The total sum authorised by way of loans exceeded the actual capital borrowed by £1,241,316. This was made possible by readvancing from receipts obtained from the repayments of loans. A Synopsis.

The following statement indicates the number of returned soldiers to whom advances had been authorised: Section 6, Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, advances on current account, £4,732, returned soldiers, £4,168,236; section 2, Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Amendment Act 1917, advances to purchase farms, market gardens, orchards, and discharge of mortgages, 5489 returned soldiers, £8,843,192; section 2, Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Amendment Act, 1917, advances towards purchase and erection of dwelling and discharge of" mortgages thereon, 11,363 returned soldiers, £7,959,275. Total advances made to 21,584 returned soldiers were £20,970,703, .the repayments of principal totalled £2,173,113, transfers to realisation and other accounts, and securities in course of realisation, £173,436; transfers to property account for securities bought in by the Department on default of mortgagors, £423,783, making a total of £2,870,332. The balance out on mortgage is £18,100,371.

REPORT OF THE BOARD. 80 PER CENT. WILL MAKE GOODUNDESIRABLES WEEDED OUT. By Telegraph.—Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Soldier Settlement Inquiry Board, in its report presented to Parliament to-night, does not deal specifically with the Waikato, which comes under the review of the Auckland district. The board considers that too high a price was paid for land, and in some instances unsuitable land was acquired. The Government was misled by parties employed as experts. The slump in butter-fat and the inflated price of farm requisites did not leave much chance to settlers to pull through. The bush land prices are considered reasonable, but the settlers were hard hit by the slump in cattle, which are essential for brcaking-in land- Dairying on bush farms had been carried on under difficulties, but most of the settlers would make good if the advances on current account were increased. There is a want of telephone facilities, and the linking up of unmeitalled portions of roads. The great majority of the settlers are of a good class, as most of the unsultablcs have been weeded out. Attention is drawn to the rabbit pest and the need for wire netting. Ragwort is spreading to a large extent. The suggestion is made for more expedition in dealing with settlers' requirements, with closer supervision and the employment of more rangers. Fully 80 I per cent, of the settlers will make good, provided necessary assistance and guidance arc given.