THE FARMERS' POLICY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21199, 25 June 1934, Page 9

THE FARMERS' POLICY

TO TITK imTTOTt OT* THE PRE I "*. Sir.—As a farmer it is with considerable misgivings that I read the speech of the retiring president of the lioyal Agricultural Society of New Zealand. I do not believo that Mr Macfarlano's views represent those of the majority of farmers in New Zealand, and only hope they do not. In 1926 one-third of tho breadwinners of New Zealand wore engaged in primary production and one-quarter in manufacturing; to-day one-fifth aro unemployed in farming, the majority belonging to the secondary industries. I doubt the statement that more than half the population of the world is engaged in primary production; but be it fact, the more reason that specialisation" in this line should be reduced. The people of New Zealand are the best buyers of our farmers' produce, consuming half the total meat produce, one-third the total dairy produce. The tariff is safeguarding "these customers of our?;. Can we not develop ttys home market of ours more? Can we not place our internal trade and production on a sounder economic balance? Why export more and import more, when buying and selling within the country will satisfy the same needs? America. Italy, Germany Russia, and even England are realising to-day that the policy for the future must be, not internationalism, but international nationalism.— Yours, etc., PRIMARY THOUGHTS. June 21, 1934.