The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1932. THE FARMERS’ UNION.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18642, 21 May 1932, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1932. THE FARMERS’ UNION.

The discussion at the Farmers’ Union on the line to be taken by farmers who are threatened with foreclosure may bring home to city dwellers the desperation to which many farmers are reduced by existing conditions. There is hardship in the cities and in contemplation of their own problems city dwellers do not adequately realise those of country dwellers. Farming to-day is almost universally the combination 'of land, labour and capital so favoured by the old economists. The revolutionary alteration of values makes it possible for one of the three elements to seize all there is in the estate and still leave the man w r ho previously owned the land a debtor. The farmers propose to resist this action forcibly, but before taking this course, which is illegal under present law, they should make It clear that the Acts passed recently to afford relief to mortgagors have failed of their purpose.

Mr Rushworth described the Act as merely bluff, but some instances should be given in proof of this statement. The position is that most private mortgagees have met mortgagors fairly. They do not want to farm the land themselves, and recognise that the mortgagor is doing as well as anyone else could do, and Often better.

There are, however, two classes of mortgagees with whom it is difficult to deal. Some mortgagees are those who have sold their land for a deposit and a second mortgage. They find their Income insufficient as the interest is not paid, and they wish to take back the property. They do not wish to refund the deposit nr pay for any improvements that may have been made. In such a case someone has to suffer a hardship and it should be possible for a Court to decide fairly between the parties. Is it clear that this cannot be done? Before defying the law this should bo made absolutely certain. The other difficult mortgagees are State Departments, the Advances to Settlers Department and the • Lands Department. One speaker at the discussion said he knew of cases where the Crown was unmercifully squeezing

mortgagors and tenants. The .particulars should be made public despite the natural objections of the parties concerned. This is a matter that vitally affects the Dominion. The departments are no doubt carrying out their routine duties, and in the course of doing so may 'bring the whole country to grief. These departments are the great mortgagees, and if they are to put men off the land wholesale where are they to find men to take their place? Who is to pay for t'he increased unemployment relief? Each of these men who is to be turned adrift owes something more or less to his tradesmen. If he remains on the land there is a possibility that this will be paid, if he is turned off it becomes a bad debt. These departments have already done a good deal of injury to boroughs toy refusing to pay the rates and the arrears on properties which they have taken over. They will pursue the same course in the counties until they finally break down local government. The Government are now quarrelling with the Post and Telegraph Department and are threatening other departments. Putting on one side the question of dignity, Ministers should look Into the dealings of the Advances to Settlers and the Lands Department. It is too late to do anything beyond pointing out the error which was made In deciding the question of exchange against the farmer. Whether It was the Banks or the Treasury or an alliance between them that influenced this dooision we cannot say, tout the disousslon fit the Farmers’ Union is one of the results. The farmers are advocating illegal methods and these can only toe disastrous in the long run. Yet they have great cause of complaint. Five millions wore borrowed this year in order to prevent the rate of exchange rising. Somewhat similar amounts have been borrowed annually for more than ton years past and the farmer has lost the benefit of the exchange which he should have received. Protection for industries carried on in town is a perpetual burden on tho farmer. Stray favours arc granted him to compensate for tho lack of justice, but although the primary industries are what wo all depend on, they have not Pad fair treatment. Conditions have become such that many will find it hard to win through with whatever

help they get. In exchange there was an opportunity of helping with a minimum of mischief and it was lejei led. Wo are told that the Order-in-Council which commandeered produce Is to too cancelled next month, ’f Iho mte of exchange -should rise, after the export season has come to an end wo shall see how far the advice given to the Government was disinterested.