REHABILITATION STEP

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1935, Page 6

REHABILITATION STEP

ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS LEGISLATION IN NEXT SESSION. ADDITIONAL TO MORTGAGE PLAN. STATEMENT BY MR. J. G. COATES. Wellington, Jan. 15. A Bill to deal with the rehabilitation of farmers’ finances will be introduced into Parliament in the special session next month and, with the Bill providing for the establishment of a national mortgage corporation, will occupy the attention of the legislature exclusively. Both Bills were to have been considered at a Cabinet meeting to-night. “There will be two Bills—one making provision for the establishment of a National Mortgage Corporation, and the other dealing with the rehabilitation of farmers’ finances,” said the Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, in an interview. “The first Bill has been drafted ,and is a fairly bulky measure of about 30 pages. “It does not follow, of course, that it will retain its present form. Constructive criticism is welcomed, and no effort has been or will be spared to obtain the views of representatives of all the interests concerned. It was for that purpose that a series of explanatory articles on the problem was issued, and the demand for copies has been such as to demonstrate the keen and widespread interest that has been taken in the subject. We aim at securing the best possible solution of a financial problem which affects so many people and activities in the Dominion. “It is too early as yet to indicate the legislative proposals in detail, for the simple reason that if revision of the first drafts of the projected measures be considered necessary, there will be no hesitation about redrafting the Bills. That is why I have suggested to the Prime Minister that the reopening of the Parliamentary session tentatively should be delayed for a week at the most, if necessary. I mean to avoid delay if, it be practicable at all. “The whole question is receiving a thorough investigation in the hope of providing a measure of relief for financially embarrassed farmers.”