AN AGRICULTURAL BANK.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1229, 11 September 1911, Page 8

AN AGRICULTURAL BANK.

TO EASE THE FARMERS'.- BURDEN. An advocate of tho establishment of an agricultural bank, in tho person of Mr. Jos. Mosley, president- of the Clutha branch of the farmers' Union, expressed the opinion last week , that as- farmers' co-operative banks were in successful operation in i'Vance, Germany, and Denmark, and were being instituted in the Homeland and had been found necessary there, that there- was a much greater necessity for such in this country, which was so far reniovod from tho markets, of the world. Farmers as a class, ho .sajd.wore too'indifferent to their own interests to assist themselves, and tho banks of the country were too conservative in their efforts to assist tho farmers in developing their land. There was, however, a plethora of stock agencies, and theso were not established for philanthropic purposes. In West Australia a 'land bank was established by tho Government to assist farmers by granting money at a low rate of interest; up to ,£750 was granted at 3\ per cent for stocking or improving farm property, and thus increasing' its productiveness.' Wo in New Zealand should compare this with the inducements held out in this country, and a.sk ourselves whether the Government is doing its best to assist the agriculturist. Tho cost of everything was greater, and tho Government should be able to case tho burden on farmers by progressive and lighter finance.