Saving petrol

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33422, 2 January 1974, Page 12

Saving petrol

Sir,—“Fair Play’s” letter regarding farmers’ wives and their use of their cars shows how little is known of modem fanning. New Zealand needs efficient farmers and, as their wives, we try to be efficient too. Much as I might like to enjoy the fresh air and scenery, I really have to get my job done as speedily as possible. Some wives also have small children and they may not want to drag them across to the wool shed or leave them alone at the farm house. A good and reliable car is an essential part of modem farm life. A broken-down truck will not take you to the doctor who is 12 miles away. "Fair Play,” and others like her, obviously want what we produce. She does not want what goes with it, or she would not write such a letter. —Yours, etc., ELAINE E. HASSALL. Hawarden.

December 29, 1973. Sir,—“Fair Play” shares the usual ignorance about things agricultural. Rebate petrol can only be used in such farm vehicles as headers, tractors, or the odd trucks which do not leave the farm. So nobody subsidises us when we visit your fair city to get spare parts, shoes mended, teeth inspected, or to visit an aged relative. Personally, I get my exercise chasing sheep, drenching cattle, feeding calves, checking for cast sheep, and looking after a large family. If I rebel at trundling, on foot, a boiling billy, tea, milk, sugar, cups, and tuck box to "the blokes” twice daily, it is partly because I do not like scalding my pre-schoolers; and partly that I need the time to get a bit of housework done; and, lastly, I am not equipped like an octopus.—Yours, etc., EX-TOWNIE.

Sheffield. December 29, 1973.