FINDING THE WAY OUT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 23, 19 August 1932, Page 4

FINDING THE WAY OUT

WORK OF MORTGAGORS' ADJUSTMENT COMMISSION MR. ALFRED COLEMAN REVIEWS ACTIVITIES Since its first sitting in this district some three months ago the Taranaki Mortgagors' Adjustment Commission has had a period ,cf considerable activity "unheard and unsung," the proceedings not being open to the Press for obvious reasons. During that time the commission has dealt with many problems Ccr which it has had to endeavour to find "a way out." Speaking to "The Stratford Even, ing Post" the chairman, Mr. Alfred Col°man, said the commission had beeni fitting regularly in jthe chief centres of the Taranaki land district since early in May. Sittings have Leon regularly and frequently held at New Plymouth, llawera and Stratford from then up to the present time and will continue to be held aa applications come in, continued Mr. Coleman.

I The commission has also sat at Patea and Te Kuiti and will shortly | again be sitting in Te Kuiti and at i Taumarunui. i A very large number of cases has j been referred to the commissi-n for i investigation and recommendations by i both the magistrates' and Supreme i Courts. Voluntary applications have I been comparatively few in number. Personal Inspections Carried Out i Un the greater '.majority of the j cases heard it has been found necessary for the commissioners to make a personal inspection of the properties concerned and this work, toge. ther with the preparation of full re X'Orts for the infomation of the courts keep the members of the commission fairly busy. So far the commission has sat on an average of about eight days per month and the work at present shows no signs of slackening, notwithstanding that the new dairy sea* son has already commenced. The confronting tho commission have chiefly arisen through stress cf the prevailing economic conditions, though this is not invariably the case, pointed out Mr. Coleman. The work of the commission broadly speaking in each case that comes before it is, firstly, to ascertain accurately the real facts of the case both as they at present exist and how they (originated. After satisfying! themselves as to the facts the commissioners have to satisfy themselves regard-

i ing the relative positions, financially ! and otherwise, cf all the parties to the ,case. | Granting Reasonable Relief They have also to forecast on the | most reliable data available what the I financial position is likely to be dur» I ins the next year or two. Having due regard to all \ these matters, and sometimes to other factors as well, the commissioners have to see if there is "a way out" for either the mortgagor or the lessee, as the case may be; if reason, able relief can be granted to him in respect of the past, present and future obligations without undue hardship or injustice being done to the other party. The position of both parties is, o f , course, steadily kept in view but if by granting relief to a reasonable gree daylight can be seen ahead then in such cases relief is recommended. !t is pleasing to,' Ibe able tp say that in the large majority of j cases it has been found possible to recommend that relief be j granted to a greater or lesser ex_ ! tent and thu s a good deal of dis- j location in connection with the occupation and working of farms | has been avoided, j

Of course, continued Mr. Coleman, the last word remains with thf ccurts who receive the commission';: recommendations and decide whether they be adopted either wholly or partially or not.