FULL ADVANCES FOR FARM PURCHASES NOT WISE, FARMERS SAY

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 June 1948, Page 6

FULL ADVANCES FOR FARM PURCHASES NOT WISE, FARMERS SAY

[SPECIAL REPORTER] ■ WESTPORT, This Day. The view that the granting of 100 per cent loans to enable returned servicemen to take up farming properties was not always a wise policy, was expressed by Mr P. J. O’Regan, of Inangahua, when the subject was [discussed at the annual conference of the West Coast Federated Farmers at Westport, yesterday. The conference was discussing a remit forwarded by the Wataroa branch, suggesting that the Government be asked to consider granting to returned servicemen a subsidy on all fencing materials. Moving the adoption of the remit, Mr A. Clark, of Wataroa, explained how two returned servicemen had each been given half of a 600-acre property in his district, but they did not have the capital to carry out the extensive fencing required. He suggested that the Government should come to the .assistance of men in such circumstances. “Too Much Help” “I am a member of a Rehabilitation Committee and I am not worried about the help given returned men, but in some instances, I consider, they get too much help,” said Mr P. -1. O’Regan. “Many fellows are going on to farms with 100 per cent, loans with no money of their own involved, and I don’t think that we can ask the Government to be any more liberal. A total advance is too much because the soldier-settler is ‘in the cart’ when prices fall or if he becomes sick. “If he is hurt or sick he is sunk, because on today’s costs he has no chance of getting another man to help him. The Government might be able to give his farm to someone else. I don’t know. I do not think, therefore, that we are justified in asking for any more assistance to be given returned servicemen. “The granting of full advances is not isolated, but is the department’s policy,” he explained. “It is no use sending this nut to the Dominion conference to crack when we can do it ourselves. We will be regarded as a joke, a laughing stock or a nuisance.’’ “The Only Course”

“It may seem crude and ruthless to throw this remit out, but, in the circumstances, I think that is our only course,” said Mr H. G. Carter (Kamaka). “Properties should be able to bear the cost of the improvements required.’’ said the chairman, Mr W. H. Martin of Westport. “It opens up . a big question.'’ commented Mr C. Jamieson. The remit was lost on the voices.