Relief for farmers

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32540, 25 February 1971, Page 10

Relief for farmers

Sir,—Until my late father, a farmer, went bankrupt we were both slaves, and had the hot breath of financiers down our necks. A country’s prosperity depends on sound government. A solution to farmers’ problems is beyond the scope of my humble mind. Surely there is someone in Government circles with enough brains and intestinal fortitude to work out what has gone wrong. All members of the Government pride themselves that the National Government is a good Government for farmers because 22 members are successful fanners. The farmer must be kept on the land producing. Speculation in land by foreign interests and city combines must be made illegal. The only remedy is the total abolition of party politics and the return of the land sales court and the mortgagors’ relief court, and smartly too, or it could be too late.—Yours, etc., FLEMING ROSS MILLER. February 24, 1971.

Sir, —As a farmer struggliii 6 for survival I was provoked by Professor Cumberland’s remarks and wonder how vital his farming is to him and how much debt he has incurred in response to the Government’s appeal to produce more wool which has to be sold at prices which are falling increasingly short of the amount required to service the debt and meet other mounting costs incidental to development. As a general proposition I accept his advocacy of exploring new markets and seeking costs savings from largerscale production. However, having regard to wool’s uncompetitive price compared with synthetics, and to the protectivist attitudes in potential markets for other products, these are, with respect, idle words. Admittedly some farmers have not moved with the times but one must assume that Professor Cumberland spoke with inadequate knowledge of the many who have responded to the Government’s call and are now faced with the imminent prospect of being sold up. —Yours, etc.,

LAST DITCH. February 24, 1971.