NORTH OTAGO NEWS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22521, 1 October 1938, Page 9

NORTH OTAGO NEWS

BLAME GIVEN TO LEGISLATION

“ Interference In

- Business ”

EFFECT OF MEASURES

OF GOVERNMENT

The effect of Government legislation on business during the last year was emphasised in the annual report of the chairman of directors of the North Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd. (Mr C. Hedges), presented at the annual meeting in Oamaru yesterday afternoon. The report stated that the firm’s difficulties during the last two years had been greatly accentuated by Government interference in business. “Various measures, including increases in taxation, advanced industrial laws, the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act, and other new and embarrassing legislation, have been introduced to readjust our social and economic conditions.” the report continued. ne Shops and Offices Amendment Act. the general restoration of wage cuts, and the recent awards have imposed a tremendous burden on employers and in spite of claims to the contrary wages to-day are disproportionate to the turnover. Capital is bearing practically the whole risk of business enterprise to-day. an?, it is a matter for regret that the board has been compelled to dispense with the services of a number of employees. If wage costs in relation to gross profits are arbitrarily increased and turnover remains practically stationary there is no alternative but to effect economies.

“Our gross earnings at £ 15,758 were, with the exception of the year 1936-37, the highest since 1929. Expenditure has also increased and wages are to-day £1728 higher than two years ago. Under normal conditions the net profit would have been about £3OOO. Losses arising from depreciated values of farm and stock securities through the adjustment of farmers’ liabilities_ during the year amounted to £3385. In view of the number of cases still to be dealt with under this act and the possibility of-further relief legislation, the directors, after the most careful consideration, decided to make full provision for all contingent losses by debiting profit and loss account and creating a doubtful debts reserve account. This has greatly increased our loss for the last year.”

Debts Written Off Tlie report gave a comprehensive explanation of the working of the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act as administered by the Adjustment Commissions and the Court of Review. In Otago where there were about 5600 Crown tenants, the declared policy of the Government to eliminate goodwills which was being acted upon by the Adjustment Commission had not only resulted in colossal losses to mortgagees, but the life savings of scores of farmers had completely disappeared. It had always been the policy of the association to make advances to farmers for slocking, cropping and carrying on farming v operations generally, but not for the purchase of land. In many cases, however, because of droughts, fluctuations in stock values and other causes, it had been the practice to take collateral security over the land occupied by the farmer. ln or upwards of 30 years this system had enabled the association to assist scores of farmers in the district. “The drastic curtailment of goodwills by the Government in a district where closer settlement has been carried on to a greater extent than almost any other district in New Zealand,” Mr Hedges continued, “has not only brought large numbers of Crown tenants to the verge of ruin but has involved lending institutions, private mortgagees and stock firms in incalculable losses. Because of the depression the position of many farmers was hopeless and some process of elimination was inevitable, but compulsory depreciation of leaseholds has only increased their difficulties. “I think it is generally admitted that the Adjustment Commissions have endeavoured to discharge their duties with fairness to all concerned and if there is dissatisfaction the fault lies with the legislation and not with the commissions. • From the public platform throughout New Zealand to-day our public men are claiming credit for writing off millions of pounds off farm mortgages quite regardless of the effect upon mortgagees such as our ‘own shareholders.” VITAL STATISTICS Twenty-three births were recorded in the Oamaru district last month, according to figures supplied by the Registrar (Mr F. Stoop). The number of births for the quarter totalled 62. There were 17 deaths, and 11 marriages during the month, the figures for the quarter being 65 and 22 respectively.

BUILDING PERMITS FOR BOROUGH

Eight building permits of a total value of £276 were issued by the Oamaru Borough Council last month. Most of these were for small jobs, six of them (amounting to £153) being for the erection of sheds, garages, and other buildings. Additions to premises amounted to £123. No permits were granted for new houses.

DEATH OF FARMER Robert Clarke Houston, aged 53, a farmer, of Windsor, who was living alone, was found dead yesterday morning at his residence. The discovery was made by Daniel McKone, a farm labourer, working on a nearby property. - The police were informed, and the body was examined by Dr. E. S. Stubbs. It is not expected that an inquest will be necessary.

SHIPPING PORT OF OAMARU OAMARU, September 30. The Wainul will load at Oamaru on Wednesday. October 12,' for Wellington, Napier, and Gisborne, via ports. The Waipahi is expected on Friday, October 7 to load out the same. day for Wellington. Nelson, and New Plymouth, via ports. The Waipiata will load here for Wellington and Auckland, via ports, on Saturday, October 8. i .... The Karetu, from" Newcastle and Port Kembla, via Sydney, Bluff, and Dunedin, Is due at fills port about Friday. October 7. •, ~ The New Zealand .Shipping Company advises that the Middlesex will load at Oamaru on October 17 refrigerated and general cargo for London and West Coast United Kingdom ports. The Gale will load at Oamaru to-mor-row for Wellington, Picton, and Wanganui, , ,

ANNUAL MEETING AT O AMARU

FARMERS’ CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

The annual meeting of the North Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association. .Ltd., was held in St. Paul's Hall, Oamaru. yesterday Mr C. Hedges, the chairman of directors, presided over a fair attendance.

The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following directors were declared elected: Messrs G. O. Pringle. E. S. Brewster, C. Hedges. J. Newlands. L. Pavletich, and A. C. Nichols. Mr John Irving, one of the retiring directors. did not seek re-election. The retiring auditors. Messrs D. V. G. Smith and W. J. Davies, were reelected.

OAMARU SQUASH CLUB

CHAMPIONSHIPS DECIDED The Oamaru Squash Club concluded its season on Wednesday night with a handicap tournament, the winner being F. Milnes (rec. 2), who beat J. Farrell (roc. 4), in the final. 15-13. after some excellent games. The final of the club’s championship competition was also played, R. S. Swindley beating C. Stevens in one of the best games yet seen on the Oamaru courts. Five sets were necessary to decide the winner, Swindley winning after losing the first two sets.

The club’s handicap competition for Hedges Cup was also completed. W. Turvey (3h. rec. 3) beating J. Monteith (rec. 2). 9-5. 9-2, 9-5.

The trophies were presented by the president (Mr R. S, Mitchell).

FUNDS NEEDED AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION Proposals for raising funds for the North Otago Amateur Athletic Association were considered at the association's annual meeting on Thursday evening. A sub-committee, consist:ng of the president (Mr H. E. Dimick*. and Messrs L. G. Smith (secretary). R. Elder (reporting secretary), H. Wilson (club captain), and R. Orbell (deputycaptain), was set up to consider ways and means, and report to the next committee meeting. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, Mr Dimick briefly spoke of the activities of last year, and emphasised the advantage accruing to the association through its again having secured the Oamaru Show Grounds for the coming season. He said that the association would take over the Show Grounds from today. He also spoke of the primary schools’ sports to be held on October 8.

CARGO HANDLED LAST MONTH

OAMARU HARBOUR FIGURES Cargo handled on coastal and overseas vessels at the Port of Oamaru last month amounted to 2515 tons, according to statistics supplied by the Oamaru Harbour Board’s office. Of this total 1471 tons was inward cargo and of the outward cargo 1021 tons was loaded on coastal vessels. . . The chief items on the inwards cargo carried by coastal vessels were: Coal 279 tons, timber 67 tons, sugar 41 tons and other goods 320 tons, amounting to 641 tons. Inward overseas vessels carried 187 tons of coal. 12 tons of seeds, seven tons of liquor, and 564 tons of other goods to make a total of 830 tons. , On the outgoing coastal vessels 750 tons of flour. 117 tons of pollard and bran, 109 tons of other goods, and 13 tons of lime were the chief items.

DRIVERS’ LICENCES

ISSUED

A total of 87 drivers’ licences was issued by the Oamaru Borough Council and the Waitaki County Council last month, the number of heavy traffic licences issued by both bodies amounting to 84. , The detailed figures were as follows:—Borough Council: 50 drivers’ licences, 41 heavy traffic. County Council: 37 drivers’ licences, 43 heavy traffic.