RURAL MORTGAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 March 1935, Page 7

RURAL MORTGAGES

BILL’S SECOND READING

MR. COATES'S SPEECH

[pee press association.]

< WELLINGTON, March 21. In the House, the Local Elections aiid Polls (temporary) Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first time. The second reading debate on the itural Mortgagors Bill was resumed. Mr Semple said he did not think it. possible to bring the country back to prosperity until they lifted all the people not one section only. All measures in recent years had centred round farmers, but there were others in distress besides farmers. Mr Jones said that a bold constructive policy had brought fifty, per cent of the dairy farmers to the verge of bankruptcy, and had antagonised buyers of New Zealand produce. The present Bill, he added, was a contim nation of the Government’s deflationary policy, and was class legislation. Mr J. A. Nash, referring to the Adjustment Commission, said that to February 28 last, applications referred to the Commission numbered 12,147. The estimated number of applications filed was fourteen thousand. The ration of rural to urban application was 60 to 7; therefore rural applications numbered 14,400. The ratio of applications refused, to those filed, was one to eight, or 1550. The number of applications in which relief was granted was 10,850, and the ratio of applications filed to those settled privately, that was without recourse to the Court, was one to 2, therefore, the estimated number of cases settled was 21,700, and the total number of cases in which relief was granted, either privately or by recourse to the Court, was 32,550. Mr Coates, in reply, said he had listened to a number of members who said contracts should not be interfered with, but he wondered if that was so in a time of emergency. The House had to decide whether there should be a general adjustment between creditor and debtor, and it recognised much of the indebtedness on rural land to-day could not. be recovered, and it was not fair it should be recovered. Ho believed that a number of people did not realise the tremendous difficulty that faced the primary industry on which they depended so much. lie thought it was indicated in the Bill that the Government’s intention was to keep all energetic capable farmers on the land and he considered the best adjustment could be achieved if it was left to a body of capable men skilled in all departments. He had not heard anyone in the House say it was not a problem, and it had been said something ought to be done. The Government had decided it was essential and necessary that the position should be faced up to, and as a result of careful consideration, over the past couple of -years, it had acted. The Moratorium had achieved certain results, but it had not dealt with over-burden. The provisions of the Bill really compulsory conciliation. He indicated that his Party was free to vote as it -wished. He contended it had been the making-of thousands, of farmers in the country to-day. They had agreed to work under a budget. It was a foolish nation that did not live under the budget and every individual in the nation should live according to a budget. The 'second reading was carried by 44 to 26. The second reading of the Orchard Tax Amendment Bill was moved by Mr MacMillair, who said the purpose of the Bill was to increase the orchard tax from one to two shillings. Formerly, a subsidy had been received from the Empire Marketing Board for research purposes, but that would cease on March 31. It was felt the research should be carried on and the New Zealand Federation of Fruit; growers asked that the present tax should he The Bill would enable that to be done. He anticipated' the total amount derived from the Bill would be £2400 from 2873 orchards. The least received from an orchard would be five shillings, and the'largest commercial orchard in New Zealand would pay £lO/16/-. Mr Atmore said it would be more generous on the part of the Government if the cost of research was made a charge on public revenue. Mr Forbes said it was desired that the Bill should go through the present month as the collection of the ‘tax was made at the end of March, and if the Bill was not passed, nothing could be done for a year. He said that the dairy industry paid fifty per cent, of the cost of research, and the Wheat Institute was maintained by millers, bakers and wheatgrowers. Members from fruitgrowing districts urged the Government to increase its . contribution to the cost of research. Mr MacMillan, in reply, said it was not correct to say, as some members had said, that other sections of primary industries did not help themsolves. The Bill was read a second time, put through ' committee without amendment, and read a third time and passed.

PARTY DISCIPLINE

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WELLINGTON, Marell 21. The right of Government members to exercise free judgment on policy measures of the Party was the sub* ject of cross-fire banter between Mr Coates and members of the Opposition in the House last night. Is the Bill to have a free vote of the House, independently of Party altogether?” asked Mr Barnard, when the Minister was replying to the second reading debate on the Rural Mortgagors Final Adjustment Bill. Mr Coates appeared surprised. ‘‘Do you suggest,” he retorted, “that the screw has ever been put on members on this side of the House?” When the roar of laughter had suitsided, there were ironical cries of "Oh. no.”’ from the Labour benches, but Mr Coates continued with some emphasis: “I have never heard such a ridiculous suggestion. Every member of the Government who has definite opinions exercises them, and we can find no fault with that.” Mr Samuels: Is this Rill a policy measure?

Mr Coates: What would you think? Mr Samuels: I am asking the Minister. I think It should be a policy measure.

"Why keep up that pretext about the Party when you know you are not sincere?" Mr Fraser asked Mr Coates. Mr Coates: Do.you say I am not

sincere when I say that members on this side have the right to exercise their own judgment on this question?

Mr Fraser: 1 mean on any question. It would he accepted as a vote of no confidence in the Government. Mr Coates: Has a member on this side not the right to vote against the Government if ho wants to? It is ridiculous to suggest he has not. Mr Fraser: And remain in the Party? Mr Coates: And remain where he likes. A number have exercised that right. Mr Fraser: Tell us one.

The incident was closed by Mr Coates advising Mr Fraser that he need not get excited over the point.