Advances to Settlers Act.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 8, 9 July 1895, Page 2

Advances to Settlers Act.

MEETING OF SETTLERS AT APITI. A meeting of those interested in the above vvas held in Guy's hall last night. Mr Gay was voted to the chair, and called on Mr H. Tolly junr., to explain the reason of calling the meeting. Mr Tolly said the meeting was called to consider the position of settlers who had applied for advances under the " Advances to Settlers Act." According to the Government advertisement it was the intention of the Government to lend three fifths of valuation on freehold laud aud one half on leasehold. The fact was the Government brought the Act into work about three months too soon and the question was " Are they faithful to their advertisement."' Ho gave some instances of settlers who applicrl. One who applied for £500 about £200 less than the money supposed to he advanced according to their valuation, Government replied they will lend £200. The borrower went to a private source and had no difficulty in getting £500. Another settler applied for £80, valuation about £250, and was not entertained. Another the Lending Board reduced the amount and then withdrew it. The credit of the colony had been pledged for this money, and the reason of refusal should be made known to all who apply. If the money was lent it would be a great means towards solving the unemployed difficulty, which made it as urgent a question as the saving of the Bank of New Zealand, and the Government that brought in a measure to save that institution should bring in a measure to save the poor settler who was of far greater importance in the aggregate than any hank. It has been estimated that it would take fifteen or sixteen millions sterling to satisfy the claims under the Advances to Stttlers Act. The valuators who arc appointed by Government are men who are private lenders in almost every instance, which is not fair, as they put all tho drawbacks they can on it so that the settlers will have to apply to them jn the long run, and out of which they make far more profit ouWof the poor settler by way of fees, and then the valuation fees. Ho proposed the following resolution : — " That this meeting calls upon the Goverumeat to fulfil the iutcntion of tho " Advances to Settlers Act," also to fulfil itfj pledges as per the advertisement issued under this Act. It would point out that the amount offered is ridiculously low m comparison witli tho security offered, and that it can ho proved that the amounts offered borrowers are not based upon the valuations made. That this money has been obtained upon the credit of tho colony lor tho benefit of the .settlers. That this mooting fceln, that from the numerous examples in tho district the present working of the Act is of no benefit to tho settlers whatever. That it urges the expediency of (,his matter uyon the Government, tho failure of tho Act moajiiiig absoluto ruin to many settlers and a seiioun inenaco to the (Jo-operative Dairy Factories. ,M; prays for immediate relief and holievos tho matter to ho as urgent an tho relief afforded to the Bank of Now Zealand last session." Mr 11. Bennett seconded tho resolution, which was carried uimniinoiiHly, and to ho forwarded to Mi* Pimm fur presentation to tho Premier. The lueoting adjourned to tho 22nd inst.