TOWN AND COUNTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 32, 8 February 1927, Page 10

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEED FOR UNITY OF PURPOSE

The Welfare League writes:—

Speaking to a "Farmer's Rally" at Dannevirke, Mr. W. J. Poison, president of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, said:— 'The interests of town and country were inseparable. If farmers could get the sympathy o£ the townspeople that would go a long way towards improving conditions for the whole Dominion. The first thing necessary was to acquaint people with the difficulties that confronted the farming community." With these sentiments we are entirely in accord? How to secure the fullest sympathy and most active interest in the farmers' conditions is the question. With respect we have to point out that sympathy begets sympathy. The townspeople also have their hard problems to face, the city dwellers are not without cares and burdens. In order that the interests of both town and country people may bo properly advanced the sympathy must be mutual and the concern general. At the present time the farming communities are having specially hard conditions to contend with. Mr. Poison, said further: "The Government during the past 10 to 15 years had spent many millions to foster the primary industry, yet fewer acres were now under production; there were fewer sheep in existence,. there were fewer holdings, and a decrease in the number of farm employees. These things do not merely affect the farming class, although, they feel it most vitally, but the whole of the people of the Dominion suffer by this set-back of our chief primary industry. In reviewing the statements made by some of the speakers at this fanners' rally it will be seen that several of their conclusions will meet with full support from many townspeople. Tho calling for ' some sense of security in regard to labour" finds an echo in many quarters, both m city and country. Further, the statement that the Dominion is "basing wages calculated on something false" is widely held as true by many townspeople. Security in regard to labour as it affects costs and proper security for the human factor—labour—itself is much required. This canot be reached by chasing the rainbow of a cost of living basis of payment. To be sound economically and just all.round it must be placed on the basis of return for productivity; the same source as the farmer has to look for his living and advancement. The motion carried urging upon the Government "the need of drastic economy in public expenditure to enable taxation to be reduced" is the right action. This appeal should not only go to the General Government, but to many local governing authorities as Well. Strict economy of: expenditure on non-produc-tive, or merely adminstrative services is urgently neded in order to relieve the productive industries on: which our Dominion depends. '

It was stated at this meeting that "secondary industries must not be over-pro-tected, as everything fell back on the farmer." "This must be recognised as the farmer cannot pass on additional costs as these in some other industries can. What is "over protection" requires some explanation. ,

With a number of ideas held in common, and divergent views on some questions, the solution of ' which affect both, it might be well to arrange some joint rallies of representative people from town and country. Those called on to thus confer, and put both the city and country points of view, should be free from the absurd statement which we so often hear made by narrow-minded partisans of both sections.

With goodwill and some common-sense to start with a rally of farmers, town business people, and workers • who will appreciate facts, much good might be done. There cannot be too mtich light thrown on the vital problems of industry, trade, and commerce we are now faced with.