MORTGAGE LEGISLATION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22429, 16 June 1938, Page 9

MORTGAGE LEGISLATION

TO THB EDITOB 0» THE PBKSB Sir,—l wish to say in conclusion, as the one who first broached this subject in “The Press”—by the way, the best correspondence columns in New Zealand—how much the Editor has to be thanked for the opportunity given of drawing public attention to the shameful nnd wicked nature of this monstrous legislation, and for the interest that has been evoked far and wide by the discussion hi “The Press.” If a man becomes bankrupt in any calling in life it is a sure sign that he is either unfitted or not properly equipped for the job, and the sooner he gets out and makes way for someone that is, the better for everybody in the community. In the case of a so-called farmer, this is doubly necessary, as the farm must be considered, and whether it is palatable or not to certain individuals, it is a fact that a productive and well-man-aged farm is of infinitely more importance to the State than the temporary inconvenience of a displaced incompetent. who, for some not very sound or substantial reason, happens for the time being to be in possession, who at the best is of no use to himself or anybody else, and who can so easily ruin the best and cleanest farm in New Zealand if not speedily shifted from it at the earliest possible moment. In spile of everything to the contrary, 1 hold the opinion that farming is a matter of the necessary personal cash, judgment, skill, knowledge, industry, and perseverance before one embarks on that career. The term average farmer is a myth. He; is either a farmer or he is not. As a matter of fact, the real farmer—and any other sort is no good to New Zealand—is a captain of industry. So what is the reason or sane explanation of this 'extraordinary and confiscating mortgage legislation, brought in to bolster up the bankrupt, the waster, the unfit, the incompetent, and, most flagrant of all, leaving not only a loophole, but a modern highway, for the lead swinger, the white anter, and the scrap of paper gent to drive along, through, or over, as if they were respected citizens of the highest degree? I have noted all that the upholders of this legislation say, and I might state that though in my time I have hunted rats, rabbits, fleas, etc., still I never till now have experienced the sensation of seeing them sit up and bark back at me. But" just wait a while. The majority of New Zealanders have British blood in their veins, and know what “British justice” means in the long run; and they are not all daft, either. Do our politicians in New Zealand realise where their penny ante notions of business morality are going to end if this mortgage legislation is not at once repealed and the mortgagee reinstated in his rights? For, believe me. nothing less will do. Is a perfectly fair and honest covenant, entered into with all possible agreement on both sides, concerning one of the most important business transactions in New Zealand, viz., the sale and purchase of land, to be wantonly tampered with by the half-baked notions or ideas of

a politician? There are some things that rise superior to the spawnings Of a New Zealand or Alberta political hatchery, and this is one of them. Morality and civilisation end with the breaking of covenants between man and man. Rehabilitation? What a flash name!

I would love to see a punter breast up to the tote at Addington or Riccarton—after the race was over and the “certainty” had failed to bring home the bacon—asking for the return of his quid, on the score of “rehabilitation”; or a deputation of taxpayers to; the Hon. Walter Nash about the goose he is killing that lays the golden eggs—and what about “rehabilitating” the goose? ,In the famous words of the noted French king, the Hon. Walter Nash would think, even if he did not say it: “Things will last my time,” and perhaps the goose, too. However, next December will soon be here, and the 80,000 or 90,000 democratic voters, of whom I was one, who had the satisfaction of knowing that they put Forbes ond Co. out on this very matter of mortgage legislation at last election—and you know very well, too, that this' is. a fact—will have the added satisfaction next election of putting Savage and Co. out on the same question ' too. In conclusion, my hearty appreciation is tendered to “British Justice (1938 victim).” His letter went absolutely to the root of the matter, and was, I consider, a classic.—Yours, etc., BRITISH JUSTICE. June 14, 1938. LThis correspondence is now closed.— Ed., “The Press."]