CHANGES LIKELY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 91, 15 March 1935, Page 6

CHANGES LIKELY

IN FARM RELIEF BILL. MEMBERS UNCONVINCED. (Bv Telegraph.—Sriecia.l to Standard.) WELLINGTON, March 14. There has been no improvement in the prospects of the Rural Mortgagors Final Adjustment Bill since the Government Caucus developed such a critical attitude that its further progress in tlie House was suspended. The position appears to be growing more difficult as a number of the Government members who required explanations from the Finance Minister’s expert staff, and who spent some hours in this, process, appear to remain unconvinced. There is a particular objection to part five, which details the methods of assessing the mortgagor’s equity in his property at the end of the five-year uudgetary period. Critics within the Coalition consider it indefinite and likely to be unfair to mortgagees, while giving no real assurance to the farmer debtor. There is also an objection to the clauses prescribing tlie conditions under which the protected mortgagor must work for five years with trustee, a budget and supervision all paid for from the farm receipts. Though there is an understanding that part five will be entirely remodelled, lobby indications are that the group of critical members is sufficiently large to cause the Government to delay further consideration of the Bill by the House until there is a better understanding. Suggestions that the Coalition is endangered are quite unfounded ; it is certainly divided, though not along the lines of the former party differences.

As the Bill was introduced it certainly could not command a majority; therefore tlie Minister of Finance is considering fairly extensive amendments.