Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, SEPT. 27, 1917. USURIOUS MONEYLENDERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1735, 27 September 1917, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, SEPT. 27, 1917. USURIOUS MONEYLENDERS.

IN urging that the Government

should introduce legislation to put a stop to “the extortionate and bloodsucking methods of certain moneylenders avlio are at present fattening on the pool’,” Mr H. Poland (Ohinemuri), in a note to a question addressed to the Prime Minister, states; —“A statement avus made by Mr V. J. Darner, chairman of the Relief Committee of the Auckland Patriotic Association in reference to the rate of interest that is being paid by a considerable number of soldiers’ dependents to certain moneylenders. In the case of some of the soldiers’ dependents loans Avcre negotiated on the furniture, and it is in this connection that the Relief Committee has found that harsh and usurious measures have been adopted toAvards the poor, A Avoman Avith one child, Avho had just lost her husband, appeared before the committee recently. She stated that her husband was out of work before he enlisted. They had to have money to buy the necessaries of life, and Avent to one of these moneylenders, avlio advanced money at high rates of interest on household chattels. Here they bonwed £2O, and Avere charged £1 10s costs, Avliile the conditions imposed Avcre that they had to pay £2 per month for fourteen months. This in earn, that for £lB 10s, namely £2O, less the £1 10s costs, the sum of £2B had to be repaid.” While the operations of these blood-suckers need looking into, it seems strange that such cases are not brought under the notice of patriotic societies, AA'hose funds are held in trust to assist such deserving eases.