THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. MONDAY, NOV. 8, 1909 THE LOAN BILL AND THE BACKBLOCKERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 206, 8 November 1909, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. MONDAY, NOV. 8, 1909 THE LOAN BILL AND THE BACKBLOCKERS.

THE Bill introduced by the Prime Minister this session appears to be meeting with very general approbation. Even the opposition members have found only the fault that it does away with the sinking fund hitherto provided by the Government in loans to Local Bodies, and that the limit set on amounts und**r the Advances to Settlers has been fixed tco high. Both 001011 referred to arc of immense importance to this district and are worthy of comment. There can be no question of the wisdom of making ample provision for advances to settlers, and the regulation outlined by the Premier giving prference to small borrowers should safeguard the interests of the average settler, in view of the somewhat high limit fixed by the new Bill. A new district requires all the capital it can obtain in order to carry on reasonably the work of developing its resources, and in the King Country we have a heritage that will return with splendid interest everything that is put into it. Unexcelled throughout the Dominion in fertility of soil; climate, and situation there is a big field for investment both as regard private and public undertakings. The establishing on a firmer footing of the means whereby our settlers are assured of neccessary assistance is of vital importance to the prosperity of the country, and nothing but commendation can be given for the manner in which the Prime Minister has handled the subject. The feelings of satisfaction which will be engendered by the provision made for advances to settlers may not be extended to loan arrangements provided for local bodies, inasmuch as the sinking fund hitherto paid by the Government is to be discontinued. Thus, although the percentage mentioned is favourable the ultimate cost of loans will be greater to the borrowing corporation. Sir Joseph Ward's explanation of the position bears the stamp of sound common sense, and if the method be judiciously administered the burden of developing new district* will not press too heavily on the settlers. Still, there is every reason for our local bodies keeping in view the principle of only assuming legitmate responsibilities. From the tenor of the replies of the Minister for Public j Works to the various backblock deputa- j tions which recently interviewed him it can be gathered that there is every intention on the part of the Government to endow the local bodies with greater responsibilities. So far as this mean: freedom to carry out road works under the authority of the local bodies it is welcome. But if it mean? in any degree the thrusting of additional fir.ar.cial responsibiliti<\'^ii^(jn'h^(_tL' the ! ! ,i n -I^^^^^^^^^^^^^| 0 i -,-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^|

Ed properly into c-ffcci. V.V- i:ave th? soundest possible in ia-'our of continued governing r.". assistance or; a comprehensive scale a: : r. >.:;•':■- tunity should lie lost <-f urcrincr ■"•".;• claims. That the position with to road grants—whore frovcrrn.aer.t responsibility ends, ar.d local responsibility begins —has not been placed or, a definite footing, so that a clear understanding is possible, is not creditable to the government. Sir Joseph Ward is evidently seized with a desire to clear up matters in general and his attention may well be directed towards this phase of the question which is of such importance to all back block districts.