Manawatu Evening Standard. TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1923. RURAL CREDITS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 671, 3 April 1923, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1923. RURAL CREDITS.

The New South Wales Government, in common with onr own, has had to meet the demands of the fanning community for the establishment of a system of rural credits through what are known as agricultural banks. Sir Joseph Carrnthers, who some two years ago propounded “a million farms” settlement scheme for tlie Commonwealth, and who acts as the Government representative in the Upper Branch of tbo New South Wales Legislature, introduced a bill last session providing fertile establishment of community settlement and rural credit associations, by means of co-operative movements which would enable the settlers, by pooling their credit, to obtain moneys and supplies needed for the further development of their farms, flocks, herds, etc. To enable the settlers to better understand the policy of the Government, and also to enable the former to place their views and requirements before the latter, the Government has been holding n series of .conferences with the farmers, at which the Acting-Premier, tlie Minister for Justice, Sir Joseph Carrnthers, and other Ministers of the Crown liaye been in attendance, the bill being explained and suggestions invited for its improvement. , 'There are, obviously, limits beyond which no Government can pledge the credit of the country, even for such an important purpose as financing settlement. That fact is not. always grasped as readily as it might be by those who clamour for Government assistance;, , The Government cam however, do a very, great deal in backing up, by official sanction and assistance, co-ordinated co-opera-tive movements, and this the Now South Wales Government proposes should be clone.- The farmer whose credit is weak is naturally 'circumscribed in his action, and is discouraged in both his enterprise and perseverance. Again and again ho is forced to mjss opportunities that, had it been ’possible to take advantage of them, would have made his success certain. The collective credit of a group of people naturally commands much greater success .than the isolated and independent credit of each member of that group! Where there arc many failures the revenue is reduced, and, if the deficiency is to bo made good, heavier obligations arc cast upon the Government ol tlie day, as well as on those who are successful in their business.. We. have seen .this in connection with the cooperative associations at. work in this country, which have tided many a man over tlie “lean” years and the awkward situations, which do occur Iron; time to time, but .which are now, heavily taxed to make good the position of others.

“JOINT AND SEVERAL” LIABILITY.

The principle adopted by the NewSouth Wales Government does not appear to-difl’er materially from that embodied i” the Act passed by our Govjenmieiit dining the 1922; Parliament, That principle embodies the “joint and several” liability which has been the means of obtaining in this country crVditfUthat otherwise would not have been forthcoming. Objection has been taken to that principle by the president

of Lho New Zealand Fanners’ Union, ililidnf'st other,ij, because the liability of qil()_ iiionilie'l' of a group becomes the liability ol all. But that is merely an extension of the “joint and several” liability, which litis financed most of our co-operative dairying concents — butter and cheese factories alicl the like. By ])lcdging their credit in that wby the fanners have been able, to build up the prosperous concerns which may be said to be the very life-blood of the dairying industry. The days have gone by when the farmer had to take his butter to the storekeeper and sell it for fivepence, sixpence or sovenpence a pound, and to accept payment, not in cash, but in goods, the storekeeper thus making a double profit at his expense. The State has advanced large sums to farmers, workers and local authorities during the past ten years and, despite the restricted finances, it authorised, and actually paid over, advances to the amount of £1,900,000 during the last financial year. The Government has further liberalised the nature of the advances. An additional two millions has been handed over to the Advances Office, and another three millions are to be provided. Complaint is made that the restrictions -lipbu borrowing are ton severe and that the security demanded is too great, but, manifestly, the State is no more able to make advances on poor security than the banks or financial institutions, which are compelled to exact terms which will ensure ,the repayment of such advahees as they make. The demand by tlie State that farmers forming Rural Credit Associations shall become jointly and severally responsible for the advances made to anyone of their number must remain as it is tit other countries, and as the New South Wales Government proposes it should be made, the basic principle in financing the associations or agricultural banks which may be formed in this country.

A total of 18.017 tons of cargo were handled on the Wanganui wharves during February.

At ilio inter-University debate at Dunedin last night Victoria College defeated Canterbury College. Passengers by the Rnahiiio, which arrived at Auckland from London, numbered only 143—the smallest list for many months.

The cx-Prinoe Kigismuml, nephew of the ox-Kaiser, lias gone to South America as tlie agent of several Hamburg coffee importers. At (by Albion Club’s athletic meeting at Masterlon yesterday, George Harvey broke his own New Zealand pole vault record by one inch, clearing lift 4in. The Congress of Belgian Socialists, by 339,000 votes to 238,000, decided against

granting a vote to women at tlie provincial elections. The Christchurch Press states that tlie holiday traffic by the ferry steamers during Faster was much heavier than it was during a similar period last year. Seven petitions in bankruptcy wore filed with the Deputy Official Assignee at Napier during March, as against 10 for the same month of last year.

Througlr falling heavily to the ground Mr Emanuel I 1 redericksen, of Garfield, Norsewoqd, sustained a broken leg. He was taken to lho Dimnevirke Hospital, where he is progressing slowly.

Ai the motor cycling sports at Napier yesterday P. Coleman, of Palmerston North, won lho heavy weight championship and-, the. 10. and 15 laps open .handicaps from scratch.

At the University athletic meeting yesterday at Dunedin, Otago won the challenge shield, Canterbury being second. A. 14. Porritt, of Otago, won the 100 yards and 220 yards, 120 yards hurdles and the long jump. The Marion Dairy Company, which sent a shipment of coloured cheese to Glasgow per Suffolk, have been advised (states the Rangitikei Advocate) that the shipment realised an average price of 152 s per- cwt, which is the highest price quoted this season.

Five petitions in bankruptcy wore filed in the Pahnereston North district during March, representing an increase of one over the preceding month. The callings of the\bankrupts wore as underFruiterers and confectioners (2), hotelkeeper, carrier and flax scutcher.

, Speaking at the opening of a new school at I’i'ebbloton, Sir. R. Heaton Rhodes stated that the cost of education in New Zealand, apart from buildings, had increased from £707,000 in 1905-04 to £3,000,000 in 192182, and the cost per head of the population from 16s 2d to 46s 6d. A Gisborne telegram states that while playing with a young boy at her home at Motuhora a three-year-old girl named Patricia Grantham was shot by the lad with a pea rifle.- Tlie boy did not know it was loaded and pointed it at the girl and pulled the trigger, I lie bullet penetrating her chest. The. girl was taken to town and admitted to die hospital. Across the bridge at Whakarewarew'a, Rotorua, live two Hindus who have peacefully invaded the Maori area in search of a livelihood. It is to be regretted that they were ever permitted to do so because of the danger of a fusion of -Maori and Mahommodan blood which would be most detrimental to the former. It is to be hoped that the authorities will tako_ steps to remove the Hindus from the Maori village. “I am not one of those who advocate free university education for all.” said the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes at the opening of the new Prebbleton school. “I believe that such free education should be for those who are most likely to benefit from it, and not for ail and sundry. I had a good university education myself, and 1 have always felt the benefit of it, and 1 think all who show aptitude should have a chance. I would like to see all win their way by scholarships to the university.”

The vital statistics for the month of March show that there wore 62 births, 21 deaths) and 20 marriages recorded locally. These figures show an all-round increase over the two preceding months, births for the month of January and February having been 48 and 37 .respectively, deaths 13 and 10, and marriages 17 and seven. Of the marriages registered four were celebrated by the Registrar. The quarterly returns show tlie number of. births to have been 146, deaths 44 and marriages 45, eight of tlie latter being conducted in the office of the Registrar. In reply to a question at Uronui, Sir Thomas Clement said he would bo very sorry indeed to see New Zealand ship any part skim milk cheese. “You,have a great industry,” he said, “one that is worth protecting, and while I am very much opposed "to Government interference generally speaking, this is one case where I would welcome it. No man ,should be allowed to ship any cheese or any article which will be to the detriment of his fellow man, and one factory shipping skim,cheese is working to the detriment of the whole of the other factories.”

A boy about seven or eight years of age had a narrow escape from death between Winiata and Taihape last week. He was walking along the railway line and was crossing a cattle-stop when, it train rounded tlie curve. The boy became so confused that bis legs slipped through the wooden bars of-.the cattle-stop, and be made desperate efforts 10 free himself while the train was bearing down on him. He managed to get free, and van along the lino for some distance m front of the tiam, but the engine thundering at his heels gave him the inspiration to do the right thing at last, and be jumped clear of the rails iust before the train reached him. lho lad was apparently not so much concerned as a man who watched the incident from the roadway, and received a very severe shock to his nerves.

The furniture sale, of Colliuson and Cunninghame’s is making the. old Salvation Citadel hum with business, thanks to the drastic price reductions, in operation Colliuson and Cunnmgliame find their home furnishing department so badly congested and so cramped that they have removed all their furniture along to those .commodious and renovated premises, where the sale is now in progress—Advt,

During the motor cycling rices yiistferdav at, Napier, O'Brien, of Wanganui, fell during one of tire events and sustained slight injuries to his head. Mr G. WllilC, sub-overseer of the bifidery doplirtinbilt, Government printing office, Wellington, who is retiring after 39 years’ service,. was met by the stall' lust week and presented with a substantiallytilled wallet.

The railway traffic throughout tho Easier holiday season has been exceedingly heavy, the special as well as the ordinary trains carrying big complements and ic iS fully anticipated that the compilation of tho returns will find a substantial increase over last year’s figures. The danger of tlie use of signal rockets as fireworks (states tllo Gisborne Times) was exemplified bn Kftiti, by tho head arid stick of one of these rockets, on its descent, burying itself two inches into a lawn within twenty feet of a residence situated 400 yards away from the scene of operations.

Charged with being idle and disorderly persons with insufficient means of support, George Armitage and Frederick A. Armitago, alias Alexander Armitage, appeared at the Police Court this morning before Messrs A. J. Graham and J. A. MeLeavey, J.’sP. Accused were remanded until Thursday.

After a year’s adjournment a case in which a young uian was charged with Hie theft of clothing was brought before the Police Court at Gisborne last week. It was explained by tho police that the case had been adjourned to enable the accused, to comply with certain conditions and that these had been carried out. The Magistrate disposed of the case by recording a conviction and discharging the accused. When tho pupils of the Kaiapoi school were crossing the suspension bridge on their way to sports practice at the Kaiapoi Park a set of piles gave way, causing the 'second and third spans from the north end to collapse, and that portion of the bridge now rests on the riverbed. Fortunately, thd cables held, and the southern end which crosses the strhhni remained intact, The children were somewhat frightened, but fortunately none were hurt.

A youth named Leslie, John Bush appeared on remand at tire Police Court this morning before Messrs A. J. Graham and J. A. ' MeLeavey, J.’sP., _ cHiirged with absconding from the Wernroa training farm on March 10, and on the same date with stealing at Shannon a watch and chain valued at 14s 6d. On the application of Sehior-Sergeant Fraser, accused was further remanded until Friday.

On a recent morning Miss L. Oakes, of Merivale, who was visiting Mount Pleasant, was, shot through the wrist by a stray bullet from a pea rifle. Miss Oakes was tidying her hair when it is supposed that her hand was mistaken for a white rabbit by some lads .who were out for sport. The sufferer was quickly motored to the, Christchurch Hospital, where she -received immediate attention, and was permitted to return to her home.

Speaking at Urcmii, Sir Tlioiiias Clement said ho was a great believer in advertising. He thought the British public should be taught-to believe that when they wanted the best butter they should ask for Mew Zealand.' Because of old associations they wore of opinion at the present time they must ask for Danish, but they are learning every day. Judicious advertising would bring back a very good return lor all that was spent on it,. but it was no use advertising* until they could get regularity.

A criticism of the Government's administration was being made by Air SV. A. Yeitcli, ALL’., at Morrihsvillo, during the Tatiranga election campaign, when u supporter of the Reform Party cried ‘ Hear, hoar,” in , a v. ay.- which , indicated that he did not agree with Air Veitt-h’s point of view. The interjection .eausecl Mr Yeitch to reiinifk: “Ttiere*is l 'bn*e tllmg~l. wislfwo could _say. Thg supporters of Reform do love ""and trust their leader. I do wish our people were as .loyal, to us us Reform supporters are to Air Massey.”

The Rev. G. T. Brown (Palmerston North) addressed the conference of Sunday school teachers held at Alasierton during Easter, on “Worship and Reverence in the Sunday school.” He referred to the difficulty which sometimes existed in attaining the" proper spirit of reverence in, the children,‘but considered that this could be largely overcome, by example. Dealing with the aims of worship, he said the child was not only to be taught about God, hut it was necessary to create the presence of the Eternal to win from the children the personal reverence that w*as sinefere and individual. '• /■

The failure of teachers lo take up now appointments after they had been confirmed was mentioned at a meeting of the Taranaki Education Board recently. It was stated that the practice was prevalent not onlv in the district under the board’s jurisdiction, but also in other education districts, and that.. the turning down .of appointments at the last minute often seriously disorganised school arrangements, with consequent adverse effects on the children and, the other momb'eprs of the staffs at the schools concerned. The board decided to write to the Education Department on, the matter, and_ also to communicate ’with other boards with a view io devising some remedy for the existing state .of affairs.

Word has been received iii Christchurch of the death, on, March 19, of Captain A. S. MeGibbon, who for many years traded between New Zealand and Great Britain, lie commanded at various times the steamers Devon, Surrey, Kent, Essex, and Cumberland (Federal-Shire Line), lie was in charge of the last-named steamer when she was mined off the Australian coast, with a full cargo, homeward hound. While in the Surrey, Captain MeGibbon conveyed some of the- contingents, to South Africa during the Boor War. lie married Miss A. Roxburgh, of Christchurch, who survives him. together with a son and daughter. Captain MeGibbon retired from (ho sea about two years ago, and had been residing in London.

“Why do so many people in Timaru wear glasses?” Though this maty appear to be a'question for an eye specialist, it was answered at the annual meeting of the South End Ratepayers’ Association recently by the chairman, who said he thought the explanation was to be found in the face that so much sea shingle is used on the streets. The chairman explained his theory, states the Timaru Herald, which was teat the shingle is carted front the bench vet, and that in the process of drying the salt in the water on it mixes with the dust of the streets, and when blown about acts an irritant on people’s eyes. He had a firm conviction, ho said, that the excessive use of sea shingle on the streets was.a matoiial factor, in causing defective eyesight. A member of the audience said he ..bad, always understood that sea_ water possessed excellent healing qualities. The. chairman said no doubt it did, but when l»lo>vn into the eyes with dust from the streets it acted ns an irritant. »

The season’s series of band dances was commenced .on Satu,rday at the new hall, whore a most enjoyable . evening was spent. Dance music was supplied by the band and extras by Mr 11. Paul. Mr J, R. Pir.ith was M.C. , i , ■

Lone sands .blow, free “In Dreamy Araby" In drifting billows like the rolling sea; Where swarthy sheiks in burnous lead the

van To guard and guide my trailing caravan. The treasures of .the west I bear away Into the east where many Persians lay, Prostrate and sad when all they need, be sure, , . . Vi , Is Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure.—Advt,

The slip-on dress is still, as 'fashionable as over and very few fabrics lend themselves better for their make-up than Venetian cloth. One of Special value in fawn; nigger anil LasceHes 'blue will appeal to von for morning wear. The price, 42in wide, js Bs. 3d, net pash, Three yards ait a '[rock’.' cutting tile price to a nilinraiim.— Collinsou and Cuniiinghame—Acjvt.

' Ono window at Cpllinson and Sop’s is devoted to the, display ql Kpgljsh, .dinner i ware included, ip Their sale, .while inside a.long table showing: tfle 16 cLlieieiit-pfiriner■ sets reduced for this specialised clearance.. Details of patterns and price reductions' 'apA pear in the firnt’s "page,,g- acjvtiAto-night and with the advent of Raster, guests.'tße. offer ‘is opportune. Also, special bargains iu Unglish white plates, dinner and soup —, Advt. ••