EX-SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15310, 10 August 1923, Page 5

EX-SOLDIER SETTLERS.

SECOND MORTGAGES

OBJECTIONS TO THE OLAUSE.

REFERRED TO DRAUGHTSMAN.

Bv Telegraph.—Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Thursday. The second mortgage clause led to a long debate. The clause provides briefly that no application for relief be considered by the Government unless and until any second mortgage—that is any mortgages in favour of persons other than the Government —has been discharged. The Opposition's attitude to the clause took strong objection to the words "unless and until," which made it unpleasantly mandatory. .Mr T: M. Wilford pressed for an alteration in the terms of the clause which should, he contended, be made lighter by malting provision for the reduction of a second mortgage. Hoh. W. Downie Stewart interposed that it would not 'be practicable to administer such a proposal without the extent of the reduction was Indicated in the clause.

Mr F. J. Rdlleston (Tirharu) said if the Government exercised its rights under the olause it cduld purchase the second mortgage. Was it intended, he asked, that the Government should pay 100 per cent, of the valuation? What would happen when the House came to consider the question again in two years? Labour's attitude was described statistically by Air H. E. Holland, who quoted the case of a man, an excellent farmer, who had a £750 mortgage with the Government, and £2500 as a second mortgage, besides a loan from his parents of £3OOO on the property; Mr Holland asserted that this man was in the same position as many others, but, though working the farm successfully, could not get relief under the Bill with the clause in Us present state. Mr Massey agreed to a suggestion of Mr W ; Lysnar (Gisborne) that as the intention.had not been made plain, the clause should be referred to the law draftsman. The Bill then passed into' smooth water again. Tile Clause was, subsequently, agreed to as redrafted, ahd it now provides 'that instead of the Dominion Board refusing to take steps to reduce the amdunt of mortgage owing to the Crowtt until other mortgages are discharged, the board may enter Into negotiations with any mortgagee, for a reduction, or the discharge, Of his mortgage, and may agree to purchase the interest Of the mortgagee. Discretionary power, however, is vested in the Minister of-Lands and the Minister of Fihahce to decide whether the amount of the mortgage oWing to the Crown shall be reduced if the other mortgage is still undischarged.

VALUATION COMMITTEES.

EXrSOLDIERS' REPRESENTATIVES PROPOSAL DEFEATED.

By Telegraph.—Special to Times.

• WELLINGTON, Thursday. A lohg debate took place this afternoon on the question as to whether soldier-settlers should have representation on .the district, valuation committees, which the Bill proposes to set up. . . To test the feeling of the House Mr Ransom (Liberal member for Pahiatua) moved an amendment. Mr Massey opposed the amendment, but he said his action did not suggest any want of sympathy with the soldier settlers, to whom any committee, however Soristituted, would have an unconscious bias, to which no one would object. Labour's attitude . towards the amendment was expressed by Mr M; J. Savage (Auckland West), who said that a similar principle was embodied ia the constitution of the Pensions Board and the Arbitration Court. , Mr Massey said that the appointment Of ehmtoyers' representative on the Court was counteracted by the appointment Of a workers' representative. The Government simply wanted men who were fair, unbiassed, expert valuers, with a knowledge of farming. One member ventured the opinion that settlers in the back blocks did not regard the Returned Soldiers' Association as a fit body to represent their interests in the matter of valuation. Reform members commented upon the action of the Government in deciding that land boards s'hould not be represented on the Committees, and that there was some logic in the claim of soldier settlers that though they werc not at all dissatisfied with their treatment'by the Government, they had not had a fair deal from the officials.

Hon. W. Downie Stewart thought it would be impracticable to have a sol-dier-settler representing his comrades, as in the case of remote districts it would be very difficult to assemble them and secure their opinions. Mr Massey said that so far as he knew there were no returned soldiers on the recent enquiry boards, and he doubted whethr so many export valuers as were required would be found among them. If partisanship were introduced, said Mr Massey, the scheme would fail. The matter was discussed at every possible angle, and. the amendment was lost by 38 votes to 35.

CARELESS FINANCE

MR VEITCH'S ALLEGATIONS. SOME WARM PASSAGES. By Telegraph.—Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Thursday. There were some warm passages in committee when Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) charged the Government with the careless handling of finances in connection with the clause that authorised the issue of Government debentures for the purchase of interests in mortgages.

Mr Massey indignantly denied any such carelessness, and made the important statenlcnt that the amount of private mortgages on soldier blocks was £1,090,040. Then there was a wrangle as to wlicther the Bill originated witli the Government or, as Mr 11. Athiore (Nelson) and oilier Opposition members claimed, as the result of their criticism.

The Bill finally passed the third reading, and the House rose before II p.m.. which is the earliest time on record in the present session.

DUNEDIN R.S.fl. PROTEST. RUSH TACTICS CONDEMNED. Hy Telegraph. -'rc-s Association. DUNEDIN. Thursday. The Returned Soldiers* Association has'forwarded a telegram to members

of the House strongly protesting against the Pensions Bill being rushed through the House before an opportunity has been given to soldiers for discussing arid considering the many serious defects. This danger was foreseen ; HOnce the repeated requests for the timely publication of the Commission's report.