SMALL FARMERS AND THE LABOUR PARTY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22103, 27 May 1937, Page 15

SMALL FARMERS AND THE LABOUR PARTY

TO THB EDITOR OT THB PRESS. Sir,—Over the signature of S. S. Barclay in "The Press" to-day appeared a letter in which he states that a farmer can get rid of any labour he employs, but one thing he cannot get rid of is his interest bill. I beg to differ from Mr Barclay and can prove myself, and thousands of others can do likewise, that the interest bill cannot only be reduced but actually wiped but. I admit it takes determina- : tion grit, brains, and above all plenty , of elbow grease to wipe out the in- ' terest bill, but it has been and still , is being done. The writer has farmefl with first mortgage money at 6 per cent., second mortgage at 8 per cent, and alter many years of work (I am sorry, save the word, it is fast Decoming extinct) have cleared off both blisters. And, mark you. I never rereceived such big prices as are going to-day. Think of it—lambs 25s to 30S, wool from Is to Is 9d per lb, wheat oveV 5s a bushel, »"d butter-fat at Is Why, the farmer of to-day who cannot reduce his interest bill and is willing to work should tap his forehead and listen for any emptiness there might be inside. I would advise : Mr Barclay, if he has any spare time, ; to hang that gate that is dragging, rvi- if » wet day. to patch those old sacks ?n W the S'd ins P tead of writing that this and that cannot be done.— Yours, etc.. cLEAR FARMER . May 26, 1937.