CROWN TENANTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21578, 24 August 1933, Page 13

CROWN TENANTS

ARREARS OF RENT GOVERNMENT'S POLICY NO GENERAL REMISSION 1 lie policy of the Lands Department concerning remission of arrears of rent, and reductions of rent for Crown tenants was defined by the Minister of Lands, Hon. 10. A. Ransom, in reply to a deputation of Canterbury settlers last Saturday. He said that the department was attending to individual applications, and did not plan to make a flat rate of reduction or remission. He considered that most settlers would find themselves better off by individual consideration of their difficulties than by any flat rate system. The deputation asked for a year's remission of rent, and also for whatever reduction in rent the Minister might think fit until times improved. Tho prices they had been receiving for their produco had been below cost. In tho past they had always met their obligations, but because they wcro only in a small way they could deal only on a cash basis. They were not able to get credit from firms in the way that men on larger areas could. No Uniform Reduction

"I am very pleased to make personal contact with Crown tenants," said Mr. Ransom. "1 am not surprised when you say that you cannot meet your obligations—that is a position not confined to Crown tenants. You ask for a year's remission of rent. At the present time wo are not considering things on a flat basis, or a general remission. In certain areas' reduction's have been made, but in all cases we are endeavouring to keep the men carrying on, without overburdening them with arrears. Wo realise that you began at a bad time. As for what has been said about inejj wlio are farming in a small way, it should be remembered that most of thoso -with larger areas are not Crown tenants. Many of tho big farmers are in a very bad position. You do not want to go away with the idea that only the small men aro suffering. "Though you aro making representations collectively, at present wo are dealing with individual applications. It is the only way. If tho department agreed to a flat rate of reduction, or even to a revaluation, and insisted on tho payment of interest on the revaluation, many of you would not be so well off as you would bo by individual applications to the board. It is regrettable that the man who was thrifty in good times is not so eligible for generous treatment as others who have not been so careful, but tho point is difficult to overcome. An Advantage in Areas "Our object is to keep on his holding every Crown tenant who is farming satisfactorily, doing his best, and meeting his obligations. Tho principal point is that if all arrears were written off it would give the other mortgagees an opportunity to foreclose. So \it is really a help to the Crown tenants to have somo arrears. The most difficult cases are those of men who aro tied up to stock firms. We are endeavouring to make terms with these persons, to get them to come in to a pro rata distribution. We will protect these men, but there is a responsibility on us to tho Government not to write off anything these men may be able to pay."