AGRICULTURAL BANK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 114, 16 May 1931, Page 9

AGRICULTURAL BANK

REFORM PROMISE DENIED, FERTILISERS FOR FA RATERS. A suggestion that the late Mr W. Massey had made a bargain with the Country Party promising it au agricultural bank as the price of a political seat was warmly refuted by Mr J. N. Massey, M.P. for Franklin, at a meeting at Clevendon on Wednesday in the interests of the Reform candidate for the Hauraki seat, Mr W. W. Massey. It was suggested by an in ter jec tor that the, late Mr Massey had promised that, on the withdrawal of the Country Party’s nominee from a certain seat, he would institute an agricultural bank, and, further, that, on the presentation of unanimous recommendations by the commission sent overseas to investigate the position, the report would be adopted as it stood. “If the late Air Massey made a promise ho would stick to it,” said Air Afassey. The statement was received with loud applause by an enthusiastic audience. Air Alassey dealt particularly with farmers’ fertilisers and the operation of the Rumi Intermediate Credits Act. He thought that, were the fertiliser companies to get behind the Rural Credits Board, they would do more for primary producers than was being done at the present time. “We can find money at BA per cent, and we know how necessary it is to provide money for fertilisers,” he added. Dealing with the problem of derating as a factor in reducing overhead costs Air Alassey said the Reform Government had established the machinery toward this end in the Alain Highways Board, but tho United Government had abused the intention of the Act, with the result that local bodies were not. receiving tho benefits they should from motor ami other road taxations. The Reform Party stood four-square behind the Highways Act and advocated continuing to use it. for tho benefit of primary producers by working always toward derating. A vote of thanks to the candidate was carried.