STATE ADVANCES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 133, 18 March 1931, Page 6

STATE ADVANCES.

UNFAIRNESS ALLEGED. TREATMENT OF A FARMER. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, March 17. "Unfortunately it is a habit in. New Zealand to buy land and to give nledges for its payment," remarked Mr 0. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) by way of preliminary to comment in the House regarding the treatment of farmers whose lands are mortgaged. it had been suggested, he continued, that a tribunal should be set up to deal between the farmer and the mortgagee, and lie hoped that the Prime Minister would agree that the State Advances Department should be included in this arrangement. The Government had refused, which was a mistake, for the greatest lending institution in the country should set the example when, it asked that concessions be made by private lenders. The State Mas not, he contended, dealing generously with some of mortgagors, for he had particulars 01 a ease where a Taranaki farmer owed £63 on one section and £59 on another, and he had been notified by the State Advances Department that unless these sums were paid within one month he would be sold up. The Prime Minister asked if the member would, give him. the name, and Mr Wilkinson undertook to do so. He went on to say that this was a farmer in the baekblocks, running sheep, and everyone knew how difficult the times were for such men. He had paid his rent, but had nothing to spare for interest, and his other creditors were helping him. With the member for Paten, he had interviewed the head of the Department over the 'matter, and the threatened sale was postnoned for \ two months. No good could .be done by turning such; a man off his land, for he was a good farmer, though uossiblv not a. good correspondent. In such cases, the arrears of interest could be capitalised until times improved.