THE SMALL FARMER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 183, 4 August 1936, Page 6

THE SMALL FARMER.

Has not "Uplifter" missed the point of my previous letter re the small farmer, and is not his suggestion of a bitter complaint wide of the mark? If he would live up to his high-sounding nom de plume he must surely not allow any bitterness to creep in. It must be apparent to any who have attended the City Markets and" read our newspapers—in particular I would refer "Uplifter" to Saturday's "Star" re the troubles of tomato and fruitgrowers —that the small farmer's lot is precarious indeed. Who will argue that the labour of one who produces necessary foodstuffs is less valuable than the labour of one who produces other commodities? If we admit that it is so, we must admit that the farmer should be able to earn his livelihood without working longer hours than others. "Uplifter" may be a farmer working long hours. He may be anyone, but has he in modern times met many who continually work long hours without complaining? Has not "Uplifter" heard of the wonders of modern machinery and how it is displacing human labour, and does he not believe in its use? Is is not possible for individual fanners to produce goods for local consumption and find a glutted market that gives a poor return? And could not these farmers by organised effort produce a regular and steady supply of goods that would return a reasonable price? - I am not advocating restriction to maintain priccs, but organised production to obviate gluts and shortages which keep the producer continually guessing as to his return. Nature, of course, takes a hand at times, but I am sure that with the aid of science and by deliberate calculation farming could lie made a profitable occupation with good conditions for all concerned. With regard to legislating hours for the farmer, will not the modern tendency in this direction affect him ? Science and mechanics will, I think, have something to say about hours of labour. There is one point in connection with this, however. If by working excessive hours as a farmer or worker in any calling we are jeopardising the rights of others, we are not contributing towards a state of social justice, and, whether we admit it or not, we are all dependent on our fellows and have a definite duty to society. Liberty is only liberty when it infringes not on the rights of others. Individualism carried to the extreme is just as fatal to social welfare as would be rigid regimentation. I still maintain that almost 300 per cent of the cases of long hours are the result of economic pressure and lack of organisation. The dairy farmer is. of course, under protection as to price and will also have his equity protected, but I would suggest that no producer has a right to a guarantee or protection from the State or society at large unless he considers his obligation to produce for requirements by up-to-date and organised effort. F. W. PERCY.