COMMISSION SOON TO SIT

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 338, 20 January 1937, Page 5

COMMISSION SOON TO SIT

MORTGAGE RELIEF.

TARANAKI CIRCUIT. First Sitting At Stratford On February 4. The Taranaki Mortgage Adjustment Commission, one of the commissions set up by the Government as an essential part of the machinery to bring Into operation the provisions of the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act, by dealing with all applications for relief in the district, is losing no time in commencing its work. Under this legislation, which was passed last session, and supersedes all other legislative measures under which relief has been given, it was provided that all applications for relief must be lodged by January 31, 1937, but as that day happens to be Sunday, it means that the applications do not close until Monday, February 1. Three days later, on Thursday, February 4, the commission will meet at Stratford to hold its first sitting to deal with the applications.

The decisiok regarding the first meeting was reached on Monday, when members of the commission, which comprise Messrs. E. H. Young (Chairman), C. D. Dickie, and F. J. Ronayne, together with the secretary, Mr L. R. Fowler, met at Stratford and drew up a tentative itinerary of sittings. The commission -will hold its sittings at New Plymouth, Stratford, Eltham, Haiwera and Taumarunui, and once a start has been made with dealing with the applications the sittings will be held regularly, probably three or four days each wek, as it is expected that there will be a very large number of applications to be dealt with and the necessity for reaching finality as early as possible is fully appreciated.

Already it is known that a considerable number of applications have been filed, and from the demand tor application forms it is expected that the next few days will see a very heavy last-minute rush. It is now generally known that all other relief legislation will be inoperative after February 1, when only those who have made application under the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act will be afforded the opportunity of securing relief. While such legislation is generally discussed from the viewpoint of giving relief to members of the farming community, it applies also to mortgages on houses and other mortgages.