Untitled

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 255, 27 July 1927, Page 5

Tho distinction of being the poorest paid nian in the country to-day was claimed for tho country blacksmith by Mr. Munro at the meeting of the Auckland Provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union (says an exchange). Tho matter was raised by a letter from tho Taneatua branch, containing a complaint about tho high prices charged for shoeing horses. Jlr. Munro said he knew something about blacksmithing, and he would bo sorry to see any such protest go out from the executive. Ho knew the charge for shoeing was high—higher than tho farmer could afford to pay—but tho smith’s overhead expenses had gone up greatly. He had known a group of farmers starve out a blacksmith with a largo family and then starve out the man they hadiput in to carry on. in his place. Mr. Snelling said tho smith did not now get half the horses that he used to have to handle. “Did you ever see a blacksmith who made a fortune, ha asked. A member took up the chailenge, and stated that he had known two. The discussion, however, was not carried further.