OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS. LONG-DATED LOANS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3773, 6 July 1926, Page 76

OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

LONG-DATED LOANS.

CHILDREN’S IMPROVED HEALTH. CHRISTCHURCH, July 1. Pupils in open air class rooms are a great deal less susceptible to the prevailing influenza epidemic than those whose studies take place in the ordinary closedin rooms. This fact has been proved by attendance statistics compiled at the Fendalfcon school where two open-air rooms are in constant use. In the case of the closed-in room the averages given are for standards IV, V, and VI, while those fqr the open air rooms are for standards I, 11, and 111. It is well known that, other factors being equal, the children in the higher standards are able to resist the inroads of an epidemic with greater success than those in the lower standards. Comparisons are made for last Monday and to day. The following were the average attendances: Monday: Standard I and 11, 92; Thursday 90. Monday: Standard 111, 87; Thursday 84. Monday: Standard IV, 72; Thursday 67. Monday: Standards V and VI, 65; Thursday 57. The slight falling off in attendances in the lower standards to-day was due not to sickness but to the wet weather. The closed-in rooms are waxmed by means of coke heaters and the fires which raise the temperature and at the same time vitiate the atmosphere. Only a small coal fire is provided in each of the open-air rooms. No coughing is noticeable in the latter, but in the closed rooms colds are general.

DAIRY FARMERS SUSPICIOUS. BLOW AT AGRICULTURAL BANK. PALMERSTON N., July 1. The Bank of New Zealand’s scheme of long dated loans for fanners was under fire at the annual conference of the Dairy Farmers’ Union to-day when discussing tho following remit from the Apiti branch: — That representations be made to the Government that legislation required by the bank be held over until after the report of the Agricultural Bank Commission is received. The President, Mr N. Campbell, also referred to the same matter in his presidential address stating that one of the greatest needs of the farmers to-day was a change from the present mortgage system to long term loans repayable on the amortisation principle. lie presumed the Agricultural Bank Commission would return at an early date and the farmers were anxious to know what its recommendations would ’be. In the meantime they had all been surprised by the announcement of the Chairman of the Bank of New Zealand that the bank proposed to create a special department for making long term loans to farmers in the same manner as the Agricultural Bank would do. Although highly commendable this scheme was regarded with suspicion by many of the producers, coming as it did at this particular time. In fact it was hinted that with such a department in operation there was no need for an Agricultural Bank. This to his mind was entirely wrong as the amount to be raised was far too small to be of any material benefit to fanners. It was proposed to raise this additional capital at 7| per cent, and lend it at 6 per cent., thereby losing 1£ per cent. Although certain benefits might come to the bank by way of increased business it was not likely that the Bank of New Zealand would lend money at a loss. Mr Campbell said lie thought the Dairy Farmers’ Union should assist the Farmers’ Union to establish an Agricultural Bank. Mr W. T. Pratt (Apiti) was afraid the bank’s scheme was a death blow to the Agricultural Bank. Mr W. G. Short (Feilding) considered the scheme also as the thin edge of the wedge in the elimination of State advances.