FERTILISER FUND

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 11, 14 January 1932, Page 13

FERTILISER FUND

RURAL CREDITS BOARD

• LOAN APPLICATIONS

It is anticipated that by the end of the financial: year the total amount paid or to be paid by the Department of Agriculture to the-Eailway Department by way ..of subsidy oil. the transport of fertilisers and lime will be in excess, of that for the financial 'year. ended 31st March: last. At the beginning of the financial year* there was a slight decrease in the number of applications for assistance, but an improvement, which is'likely to make up'the leeway, is noticeable at the present time.

; A fund of £100,000 was carmarkofl by the Government from the Kural Intermediate Credits Board.for advances for tho purchase of fertilisers, but the number of applications for loans fell below expectations. Inquiries' were' made by the New Zealand Farmers' Tlnion among the provincial executives as to. the cause of the loans not being taken up. Among the reasons given in the replies are the following:— v

Lack of initiative on the part of the farmer. ■ There are many farmers who are in aposition to take advantage of the fund, but who are not bothering to do so. '. ,;

Uncertainty of markets. In view, of; the present uncertainty of our mar; kets, farmers are not inclined to commit, themselves on promissory notes. Difficulty of getting the necessary guarantee. Many find it difficult to get firms and dairy factories to guarantee the 50 per cent, required by the board. ..;. ■.■ . .'.'" . ~-'■•. ..;

The farmer is usually shy- of ; Government Departments, imagining that the procedure is hedged about by too much red tape. Hence thero is a good deal of apathy in connection with any Government lending schemes. „ jSo far there has not been sufficient publicity given to the simple manner in which farmers ■ can obtain these loans, and therefore most of-the farmers fear too much red tape or expense would be attached to the scheme.

The scheme came into being after quite a number of farmers had made their arrangements for their requirements. .

The time for repayment under present conditions is too short. Owing to their financial position farmers generally are having, to restrict the use- of fertili.ers. '

Stock and station agents are not encouraging advances through the Rural Intermediate Credit Board's Fertiliser Fund. In the majority of cases they prefer to make the advance themselves.