TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3062, 5 December 1908, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

ADVANCES TO SETTLEKS. We are -glad ±o learn that the Advances to Settlers Department is once more in funds, and that those whose applications for advances have been approved, are row getting the money. As Sir Joseph Ward states that money is being brought into the Domanion at the rate of £IOO,OOO a month for the purpose of being lent to settlers, there should now be no excuse for keeping applicants in suspense and anxiety. We observe, ' says rhe Chrfstchurch "Press," that the professional ajwlogists for the Ministry are now seeking to prove that the break-down in the Department's arrangements during the height of the stringency was not only excusable hut even commendable. No one> it is said, declared that the banks or the mortgage companies had broken down because they had no money ready for every settler that needed assistance. Tney were simply congratulated for their prudence in restricting their advances. There is a difference between the two cases which the professional apologists omit to notice. The Government Department was never blamed for restricting advances, but for approving applications, even in some cases promising the money by a certain date, and failing to keep the undertaking, so that in some instances at least the disappointed applicants had to seek assistance from the much-abused banks and 'other financial institutions, but for whose help some of those who had been relying on the Government would have been in very serious straits.