FARMERS AND MORTGAGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 57, 9 March 1931, Page 6

FARMERS AND MORTGAGES.

T • ' It is not pleasant to criticise farmers when this class is suffering .as it is, but something must be said about the boycott resolution passed in Hamilton. The remit that was carried stated that "the farmers of New Zealand" would "through their union" boycott any auctioneer who held a foreclosure sale when it was shown that unfair advantage had been taken of the economic conditions. In the nature of things even a small branch of the Union is inclined to speak in the name of the Dominion when it frames a remit, but we do not believe that this represents the opinion of the mass of New Zealand farmers. "Boycott" is a dangerous word, and to apply the weapon to such cases as are mentioned would be clearly anti-social. What right would farmers, either individually or collectively, have to say that a mortgagee had no right to foreclose? Would the local branch of the Union be a judicial body? If farmers were foolish enough to try to boycott auctioneers, their action would certainly, as one member remarked, make them unpopular with investors. Another speaker suggested the appointment of a special committee to judge whether any case was one of hardship. The Government proposes a system of investigation and negotiation by which differences would be smoothed over, but even where mortgagor and mortgagee could not be got to agree, it would be most improper to apply a boycott. The less one hears that word the better. Co-operation and confidence are the needs of the hour.