REHABILITATION AID

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23216, 1 June 1945, Page 4

REHABILITATION AID

Northern Criticism Director In Reply (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 31. “It would be as well if people making hysterical outbursts such as that reported to have been made against this Department by Mr K. O. Montgomery at the Farmers’ Union Conference at Palmerstop North first made sure of their facts,” said the Director of Rehabilitation, Mr F. Baker, to-day. “Mr Montgomery’s motion was apparently based on statements made at the conference by two ex-servicemen delegates who had taken over farms with the assistance of rehabilitation finance. Both were men who had been graded A for farming, that is, were considered competent enough by their Rehabilitation Committee to run their own farm. In the case of one of the ex-servicemen mentioned he exerted considerable persuasion with the Department to be assisted on to a farm of his own choosing. So eager was he to obtain this particular farm that the Board sanctioned his being assisted on to it at a considerable reduction on th 6 price he had previously agreed to pay. He secured the plant at £4B. Surely, as an A grade farmer, he must have know’ll that the plant at that price must have been of little account. Now he states with apparent indignation that he found the machinery and plant in a dilapidated state and that it cost him £3OO for replacements. Just assuming that that amount had to be advanced to him, and considering what the Department saved him in the first place, he would still be well up on the deal. He had every opportunity to make his own valuation which, after all, was his responsibility mainly, although every assistance would be afforded by rehabilitation officers should it be requested. “Regarding testing for T. 8., it is not at present a common practice for the Board to see that such a test is made, but should this become a general policy throughout the country the Board will then act accordingly. Reasonable and ordinary precautions are now taken with the staff at our disposal. “In the case of the other ex-service-man delegate, he complained that no itemised valuation had been sent to him. It is emphasised that an exserviceman arranging to purchase a freehold or leasehold and seeking this Department's financial assistance cannot hold the Department responsible for everything that goes wrong. He should, if he thought he was competent and experienced enough to take a farm, be able to assess the values involved. In this we were able to advise him, but on him must rest. the chief responsibility. It is his proposition in the first place, and he must think It attractive to come to us for financial aid. We on our part do our best to ensure that the proposition is as attractive as it appears to the applicant.”