FARMERS COMPLAIN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 195, 31 May 1945, Page 8

FARMERS COMPLAIN.

treatment of soldiers. (P A ) PALMERSTON X.. May 30. Two delegates to the interprovmcial conference of the Farmers’ Union today criticised the treatment gnen them by the rehabilitation authorities concerning farms. Mr L. H. Calvert (Greytown) moved that all dairy herds taken over by returned'men be tuberculin tested before passing to their possession; that all machinery taken over be inspected and valued by an expert, .and that the State Advances Corporation bear the cost of any replacements. Mr Calvert cited his own case, saying that ms application for a tuberculin test was refused. When he went to the farm lie found the machinery and implements dilapidated and it cost him £3OO for replacements. He also'cited the case of another soldier who, after being refused a grant by the Rehabilitation Board to go to a farm, had got the money from a bank, and then found -ID cows out of oO coiidomnod through tuberculosis. Mr .N. L. Christensen (Greytown) said the Rehabilitation Board had refused to give him a valuation of the stock and implements, and he had to take the farm as a going concern. When he pursued private inquiries he was fold by the owner of the farm that the low price of the stock was offset by the high valuation of the machinery. _ “I am amazed and shocked to hear the stories of these two delegates. I had no idea that farm rehabilitation was operating in this fashion,” said Mr R. O. Montgomery, who moved a motion demanding an investigation into the “scandalous treatment of the two returned soldier delegates and demanding that those responsible for the disgraceful mismanagement of rehabilitation be brought, to book, and that those former servicemen who suffered in consequence -of the mismanagement be compensated from rehabilitation funds,”

“I hope the Farmers’ Union will press this matter with all possible speed, to save further chaps getting into the same pickle,” added Mr Montgomery. Another motion requested the Rehabilitation Department to make available to soldier applicants details of the valuation of stock and chattels of farm properties.