"OURSELVES ALONE."

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 134, 9 June 1927, Page 6

"OURSELVES ALONE."

In a statement published to-day, Mr. William Goodfellow elaborates remarks he made in his recent statement about control. He advises the farmers of Xew Zealand to solve their own problems, and work out their destiny, without seeking the assistance of politicians. This is sound and refreshing advice. It will be impossible, of course, for the State to hold itself entirely aloof from the farmers' world, any more than it can keep itself entirely free from connection with the world of business. If the farmer is wise, however, he will seek improvement of his lot in self-reliance and voluntary co-operation rather than in State aid and legalised compulsion. Mr. Goodfellow says the control scheme was wrecked "because it was founded on political action, and its successful conduct wat> largely dependent upon political influence, which failed the farmer when he most needed it." He overlooks the fact that in order to obtain powers of compulsion it was necessary to take political action. The reason why price-fixing failed was that a supplier of only 25 per cent of a customer's requirements tried to dictate prices. The unsoundness of Mr. Goodfellow's reasoning, however, does not weaken the soundness of his conclusions. The fanners have already accomplished much by voluntary co-operation. The movement has had it* losses, but benefit will be derived from these if they make the farmer realise that, as Mr. Goodfellow realises, production is one calling and marketing another. The farmer has been too prone to believe that success in commerce is easily achieved. There is no reason, however, why he should not prudently extend his interests in the commercial world. But let him put aside compulsion, rely entirely o:i voluntary action, and remember always that though his is the most important class in the country, others deserve equal consideration.