RURAL CREDIT FINANCE

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1934, Page 8

RURAL CREDIT FINANCE

OBJECTS OF THE SYSTEM. SUPERVISOR'S EXPLANATION. The original objects of the rural intermediate credit system of finance were outlined to the annual meeting of the Stratford association yesterday by the district supervisor, Mr. J. C. Robins, who also stressed the advantages the farmer obtained through use of the scheme. The objects, Mr. Robins said, were the clearing, fencing, draining and general improvement of land in the occupation of the applicant; the erection of buildings on the land; the purchase of implements, stock, seeds, plants, trees and other things required; the payment of any mortgage, debt or other liability of the applicant incurred in relation to farming operations; any other purpose in relation to farming operations that might be approved by the board. In the course of its operations, continued Mr. Robins, the Rural Intermediate Credit Board was always anxious to assist the borrower, and evidence of this policy was apparent in the fact that the board recently reduced the rate of interest payable on all existing loans as well as off new applications. The district supervisor also drew attention to the advantages to borrowers the board had from time to time brought into effect, particularly in easing the regulations governing the making of further advances and re-advancing moneys which had been received in reduction of the loan, where the borrower’s circumstances required assistance of this nature. It was pointed out that each borrower took up shares in the local association and that as. the number ,of shareholders increased the possibility of calling up further capital would become more remote and the risk of loss to each shareholder would be reduced. The secretary (Mr. R. R. Tyrer) contrasted the enthusiasm towards the scheme evident in the Waikato with the apparent apathy of Taranaki farmers. In Taranaki, he said, there were four associations, compared with 14 in the Waikato, and the amount of loans was £60,000 and about £500,000- jf spectively. The position there was that rjl the dairy companies supported the scheme from the start, as they realised the value of a system that offered to the farmer cheap money on an easy basis that also permitted the borrower to do business wherever he liked.

VALUE OF CHRISTIANITY. STRATFORD MISSION WEEK.

In continuation of his mission week services at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, the Rev. John Paterson, M.A., Wanganui, conducted a service last night at which he delivered an address on the value of Christianity to civilisation. The keynote of his mission was “stewardship,” he stated. He wished people to see that the Christian faith was a trust committed to them not merely for their own use but for the well-being of mankind. The world needed Christ and His Gospel. It was their privilege to give it to the world not only by proclaiming

the faith but by. living it. As a general rule men in their everyday life did not feel the pressing need of God; that was particularly obvious when life was packed with so many interests. But the day came to all when sorrow, death, failure or some high and splendid duty awakened a deeper nature, when the spirit cried out for God to comfort, enlighten or strengthen, and in that day of man’s need the church was to hand with the Gospel, the minister or priest with the word of divine love. The preacher detailed incidents from his own ministry illustrative of this need of men for Christ. It was often said people did mot want the church or its message and services except to be buried or when in trouble or when about to be married. But should one not rather rejoice in the privilege of giving to men at a crisis of their lives the word of God’s love and God’s righteousness? One should take a wider view. The Christian church was the fountain of the moral and spiritual resources of culture and : social life. Most people forgot that, taking for granted the validity of ideas in the economic, social and cultural life , which were learned from Christianity > and based on the truth of the ideals of Christ. The greatest study of social history ■ ever made had recently been completed ' by the great German scholar, Traelsch, ' and he showed by exhaustive examina- . tion that modem society was entirely dependent on Christianity for the fine , principles on which its social ideals j were built—the value of personality, ( the worth and duty of brotherhood and social service, the actual inequalities of , men transcended and used by the duty , of mutual helpfulness, the spirit of char- ‘ ity, the duty of helping the under-dog, j the sick, the weak, the child, and lastly the hope of ultimate victory of the good, the true and the beautiful. Every true, every worshipping Christian was, above any value to themselves of their faith, not’ merely expressing these spiritual values but creating and developing them for the use of mankind as a whole.

MANGATOKI CARD EVENING. PERSONAL AND GENERAL NEWS. The Mangatoki Women's Institute held a flag five hundred evening and dance on Friday. There was a fair attendance. The winning players were Mrs. J. M. Gatenby, Misses N. Gatenby and I. Carlson and S. Parker. Travelling prizes were won by Mrs. R. Milesi and Mr. Willis. Monte Carlo dance winners were Mr. J. Hammond and partner. The Mangatoki Hockey Club’s competition for a tennis racquet presented by Mr. J. Gavigan was won by Mr. Urry, Eltham. Mr. Bert Collier, Hawera, controlled . the card tournament and Mr. L. Schicker was master of ceremonies. Music for dancing was played by the Misses D. and E. Gatenby. The institute committee were the hostesses. The milk returns at the Mangatoki factory show an increase on last season s returns so far this season. The pastures are looking well and the growth is noticeable as a result of the past week’s mild weather. The Mangatoki tennis players have commenced practice in anticipation of an early opening of the season. Mr. C. E. McGuinness is making steady progress towards recovery from an accident during jubilee week at Eltham. He is able to move about a little on crutches. Some Mangatoki enthusiasts are considering the formation of a sports club, including a cricket team, for the season. Amalgamation with the hockey club is suggested.