The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1939. THE FARMER'S DIFFICULTIES

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LXIII, Issue 6497, 6 January 1939, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1939. THE FARMER'S DIFFICULTIES

|_)Ul.iiiNG tlie years of depression there was lull recognition of tlie fact that the increase ol our farm iug products was tlie only way out of a difficult situation. When the economic block to progress was removed the rush to prosperity resulted in an unfair distribution of benefits and the primary producer was not given the fruit of his labour. At no time has the farmer been so worried over the carrying out of his ordinary routine work as at present. The unprecedented rise in wages has made iiis wage bill a serious item and in addition labour has been diihcuit to obtain at any price owing to the attractive wages offered 111 the cities and at the Public Works (Jumps. The Government should realize that the work of the primary producer is tlie most important 111 the country and see tiiat farmers can obtain suitable i labour instead of starting Public

Works Camps all over the country to absorb labour on unreproductive works. Everyone will admit that the improvement of our roads is a progressive step, but the output of primary produce is still more important. Just as the irishman values his pig as the iriend that pays the rent so the Government should recognize the i'armer as the mail who pays the interest bill in London. Now that the funds in London have fallen so rapidly there is an attempt to stimulate production and increase farming exports. This is only a natural desire on behalf of the Government to meet the country's liabilities and most people will agree that when the land is producing its full quota the country as a whole is enjoying prosperity. However, the farmer should be assisted if this object is to be achieved and many complain that they are having a most, difficult time at present. In an article dealing with the* coming year the New Zealand Dairyman points out how difficult it is for the dairyfarmer in particular to increase his production under preesnt conditions and how unfairly he is being treated in comparison with the men living iiv the cities. "On all sides we hear again the old cry of "increased production," which for the dairyfarmer can only mean more work and a further curtailment of leisure. The millions of money we accum-

ulated in London during the years of depression have disappeared. During those days, consumers in New Zealand were too poor to procure even the bare necessaries of life let alone imported luxuries, with the result that just on £50,000,000 of the money realised for -the farmer's exports remained in London. During the past four years these fnnds have dwindled away to nothing. The money so lavishly handed over by the Government for the purpose of raising the standard of living, stimulated imports to an almost unprecedented extent and the. accumulated funds

in London went to pay for imports. The producer benefited little form the changed economic conditions. A higher standard of living for the man in the city meant a higher cost ol' production for the fanner. It also meant ill oiv work and longer hours. "Now that, the London millions ha vi* disappeared and more money is required to pay our overseas interest bill and keep up a steady How of imported luxuries, the farmer is again being urged to produce more. The question of farm labour is as acute as ever and the number of women and children in the milking sheds has not been reduced. Working costs are still rising and a higher interest rate during the coming months is a certainty. To expect formers to increase production under such conditions is neither fair nor just. It is an unsound and one-sided economy that- raises the standard of living of one section of the community at expense oi another section . No one will dispute the fact Hint primary production in Mew Zealand is capable of tremendous expansion. but such expansion will never take place until producers are given economic justice and a fair and adequate reward for f heir labour. "It is doubtful whether this recognition will be given during the coming year. The artificial measures that are being adopted just now are part of a "planned economy which forms the basis of the (Jovernmeut's policy and programme. The only security the New Zealand farmer enjoys is that of a fixed and assured income given him by means of the guaranteed price. But there is no such assurance regarding his outgoings, and the rising costs hit him harder than any other section of the community. Against this there is no relief except his own personal efforts and the efforts and sacrifice of his family. Nor must we place too much reliance on the guaranteed price, upon which the disappearance of London funds has a direct bearing. Under the present monetary system, and with a shortage of London funds, it will be a physical impossibility for the Government to pay money to New Zealand dairyfarmers which has no existence in London, as will be the case if prices in Great Britaia fall considerably below the guaranteed price."