RURAL MORTGAGORS’ FINAL ADJUSTMENT BILL.

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 19

RURAL MORTGAGORS’ FINAL ADJUSTMENT BILL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The tone of your observations yesterday on the above Bill, which has just passed our somewhat dazed and muddle-headed House, must surely be in tune with the feelings of the bulk of those of our complacent community who care to worry about these things. You gave your opinion that the ommission by the sponsors of this latest extraordinary piece of “rush legislation” to take into consideration the emotional reactions of the long-suffering farm mortgagee may prove a fatal blunder. It is my opinion that it may prove a three-fold blunder—a blunder permanently damaging those unfortunates who happen to have their capital invested in farm mortgages; a blunder upsetting, for some time, all confidence of investors in rural securities; and a blunder fatal to the oppressive, dictatorial power of our present Government, It is my sincere hope that the last phase I have mentioned may prove a fact and that wo may at least have found Achilles’ heel. No normal person would condemn the principle of assisting our primary producers in view of our being undoubtedly nationally dependent on them. But any such assistance should be a community concern, and the responsibility of providing it should not be shovelled out in such loads on the backs of any one particular class of people. Reason and logical pleading by a few of our representatives in the short time available in the rush of this particular legislation have been disdainfully ignored. Are wo never to be afforded a foothold for expectations of any wise attempt at settling our troubles}’ Previous knowledge of how Governments will bow to direction from behind the scene makes one wonder to_ whom this latest legislation is a submission. It is apparent that the Government’s policy, even in such important matters as this, is capable of taking an increasingly Machiavellian twist as time goes on. The Government should remember, however, that legislators are dependent for their happiness on the happiness of their electors. One day those the hardest hit will rouse themselves to offer determined _ criticism and opposition, using a passionate cry resembling Hood’s “ That bread should be so dear and flesh and blood so cheap! ” Interests higher than pecuniary ones are at stake. The bad principle of so much of our recent legislation cries out for consideration. Yet I expect that w© shall slumber carelessly on, subaccepting whatever is handed out, hoping the while, with rather ohild-like patience, for an improved State directorate, though murmuring at the same time to our present collection of arrogant dictators, “ But until the day that one comes along we’ll string along with you.”—l am. etc., Buck J. March 30.