DISTRESSED FARMERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 June 1924, Page 3

DISTRESSED FARMERS.

A MEDIATORY BOARD. HAMILTON I’OTARIAN SUGGES- i TION. 1 The position in which many farmers will be placed with the lifting of the moratoiium v,as discussed recently by the- Hamilton Rotarians, when a committee was set up to interview the managers of the leading stock firms of the district and ascertain their views on the subject. In each case the- opinion was expressed that, there was adecided need for some scheme of relief. A suggestion was made by the committee that a body something in the nature of the Efficiency Board should be set up to inquire into all cases of hardship. Unqualified approval of tlie suggestion was given by the gentlemen interviewed, who considered that such a board could do a treamndous amount of good. The committee then ■ drew up the following resolution, which was submitted to a general meeting of Rota rians and unanimously carried: “That the Minister of lkmance be asked to introduce legislation to enable local boards to be set np in any districts where there are numerous cases of hardship owing to the difficulties of fanner mortgagors, such boards to be on similar lines to the Efficiency Board set up during the war;, that such boards shall have power to cite or compel tne attendance of mortgagees and mortgagors. iin any cases where they may, in t-lie opinion of any board, be a hardship suffered by any such fanner; that the function of such shall be to make inquiries into the position, to give j advice thereon to the parties and to act jas mediators between .mortgagees and mortgagors with a view to enabling farmers who are. able to do satisfactory work on tlieir farms to remain in possession; that such boards shall have power to compel any mortgagee to appear before it, but not to compel him to forego any of his legal -rights. It was decided to send a copy of the resolution to Hon. R._F. Bollard, .Minister of Internal Affairs, and to Mr J. A. Young. M.P.. with a request that they assist in introducing and carrying through the suggested legislation. A codt will also be forwarded to ail Rotary dubs in New Zealand foi consideration. and. if thought fit. supThe committee considered that in very many eases boards on the above * lines would be üble to assist cap dole and efficient farmers who were m , financial difficulties, by means o ad- ■ vice md through negotiations with the ■ mortgagees concerned. In any case no harm could be done, eveii if good veie . not effected. —"Waikato Times.