SECURITY FOR FARMERS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 212, 23 September 1937, Page 3

SECURITY FOR FARMERS

— Press Assooiation.)

Government Member's Claim ADJUSTMENT OF MORTGAGES

(By Teiegrapli-

WELLINGTON, This Day. An assertion that the Government had saved the farmers from expioitation and that the industry was on a better f'ooting to-day than ever before was made by Mr (J. L. Hunter (Government, Manawatu) when speaking in tho Address-in-Keply debate in the House of Eepresentatives yesterday. Mr Hunter said that under the previous Government 's stay-order legislation hundreds of working farmers would have been forced oft' their land. The present Government, however, had given them ^security and had brought about a proper adjustment of mortgages. Tho farmers were now in a position of being able to meet their commitments and realise a deiiaito standard of living. As the representative in Parliament of a dairying district, Mr Hunter said, he knew something of the conditions of the farmers both before and after the inauguration of guaranteed prices. Under the old free-for-all system the farmer was subjected- to exploitation." That day had gone, and the farmer was now able to estimate his income and budget accordingly. The result was reflected in the large number of new farm buildings which had been erected all j over the country during the past twelve months. ' * I have no hesitation in stating that the farmers are better off to-day; than ever before," added Mr Hunter. Mr H. G. Dickie (Opposition, Patea) : Are you a farmer? Mr Hunter attacked the treatment the Labour Party had received from the Press of New Zealand.