MONEY FOR FARMERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19843, 18 May 1927, Page 7

MONEY FOR FARMERS

RURAL CREDITS SCHEME Mr Polson’s Agricultural Bank Proposal GOVERNMENT TO BB APPROACHED. (Special to “ Chronicle. LEVIN, May IT. Tho Government’s attitude toward the agricultural hanking scheme propounded by Mr. W. J. Polson, of Wanganui, was severely criticised by delegates to the Farmers’ Union Conference at Levin to-day. The following two remits were tabled: That this conference regrets the Government’s attitude toward the agricultural bank, and urges the Union to use its utmost endeavour to have Mr. Polson’s scheme carried out in its entirety. That the Government bo urged to give full effect to the recommendation of the Royal • Commission on Agricultural Banking. Mr. A. J. Gimblett (Levin) considered that the Government was just shelving the question right along the line, and holding Mr. Polson up to ridicule. Mr. Polson, however, knew as much about finance as the Minister, and in a race between these two he would put his money on the Union president, who stood for the agricultural bank, which farmers wanted. Who was the Bank of New Zealand going to lend its six millions to? —It would be tho big man who was not needing it. The small, struggling farmer was the man the Gorvernment should look after. Mr. W. G. Belton (Waverley) thought the farmers had not realised properly what an agricultural bank really meant, ft was obvious that certain vested, interests would be opposed to the movement and it was only by persistent agitation that the farmers would get anywhere. Bank Charges Too Heavy. Mr. W. Morrison (Maxwell) said the present bank charges were too heavy for the ordinary farmer, and he was sure that the Bank of New Zealand would not have put forward its recent scheme but for the Rural Credits Commission. Mr. C. C. Jackson (Masterton) also urged that support be given Mr. Polson in his endeavour to establish a rural credits scheme, and the remits were carried. Mr. Gimblett: Is there not something else we can do to strengthen the hands of our president, so as to put farming finance on a better footing? Mr. O. P. Lynch (Paekakariki): We can wire the text of the resolution to Mr. Polson. Mr. W. Tate (Greytown): We should send a deputation to the Government. If we are going to hit, we must hit hard. This conference will only be a vent where we talk hot air unless we move. Firm Action. Mr. H. Daysh (Martinborongh): We must speak up and let the Government know we are the backbone of the country. We must not sit down and take things as a matter of course. We farmers have brains, although commercial men would try and ram it down our necks that we have none. The Coates Government can’t fool all the farmers all the time. Mr. Jackson considered that Mr. Polson ought to be able to go to Parlianien with telegrams from every branch of Union. Mr. T. Currie (Wanganui) president of the Conference, said he thought much good could be done if members of Parliament were approached upon the subject. Mr. W. Howie (Fordcll): And put them out if they won’t support the Union’s scheme. Eventually it was decided to send a telegram to Mr. Polson and to writ© members of Parliament in the strongest terms, and to send a deputation to the. Government urging the establishment of an agricultural bank.