FARM DEBTS

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22151, 24 September 1943, Page 6

FARM DEBTS

PARTY PROPOSALS BURDEN OF MORTGAGES In an address to electors of Raglan, Aircraftman A. J. Dillon said the Democratic Soldier Labour Party, to which he was proud to belong, would concede whatever land tenure pleased the tenant. The party aimed at a reduction in the size of farms and in indebtedness. “We aim at farmers doing one day’s work for themselves rather than eight hours for the farmer and eight for the bondholder,” he said, “and we prefer a soldier on 100 acres free of debt to a soldier on 200 acres a bond slave.” The candidate said a stock and station agency, established through the Bank of New Zealand to finance farmers at a nominal rate, could be set up, and it would operate to the distinct advantage of the primary producers. Mortgage Indebtedness Gradual replacement of mortgage indebtedness with table mortgages at nominal rates, so that farmers could win to freedom from debt, was proposed. There would be advancement of credit to bonafide farmers’ cooperatives to enable the use of machinery, marketing, farm improvement work and other undertakings too large for a single farmer to put in hand collectively.

MR COULTER AT HUNTLY Mr R. Coulter, Labour candidate for Raglan, received an attentive hearing when he addressed a large audience at Huntly. The Mayor, Mr G. Smith, presided. Speaking for over two hours, Mr Coulter was frequently applauded and there were no interjections. Dealing with the dispute at one of the mines whi.ch eventually led to the control of mines by the State, Mr Coulter said that if he was returned at the election he would urge that the Government not only take over the mines for the duration, but entirely.