040 Soldiers Road, Akitio

The Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act 1915.  

 Balloting of this land was authorised by this Act. It contained comprehensive and generous provisions for the settlement of returned soldiers on the land. Extensive powers of purchase were given to the Land Purchase Board, which could acquire land compulsorily, if necessary. Appropriations made by Parliament made just before the general election in 1919, authorized no less than £12½ million pounds ($25m), in addition to a previous authority of £1½ million pounds ($3m), to be advanced in connection with land settlement for soldiers, and it was estimated that a million pounds ($2m) a month was required for this purpose. In addition, the Government had authority to spend £2m per annum ($4m or say $40m in 2015 dollars) on the purchase of land for settlement by returned soldiers.

Advances were made to assist settlers taking up land under the provisions of this Act for the purchase of stock and implements, or for effecting improvements. These advances were secured by a current account mortgage and bill-of-sale; and interest at five per cent was charged on advances made. Under the regulations the maximum amount that could be advanced was £500 ($1,000), but in special cases this was increased to £750; while in the case of bush land amounts up to £1,250 ($2,500) could be advanced.

A variety of tenures was provided by this Act, including the ordinary power of purchase for cash, by deferred payments for twenty years, and a renewal lease with purchasing clause. The ordinary tenures of the Land Act were also available.

In order to prevent trafficking in land it was provided that no soldier could transfer land acquired under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act for a period of 10 years.

The programme was generally subject to much criticism with many failed farms[1]

Successful Applicants for the Akitio Block