DOMINION'S TROUBLES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 32, 8 February 1932, Page 11

DOMINION'S TROUBLES

FINDING A WAY OUT

COUNTRY MUST HELP ITSELF

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day.

"We, as farmers, have always believed that wo are the backbone of tho country," stated the Hon. E. A. Rausom, Minister of Lands and Agriculture, in speaking at a meeting of farmers at Woodville on Saturday, "and if farmers are affected by lowered prices for their products, the trouble spreads to. others."

This year, ho continued, exports had dropped twenty millions below those of last year, and it was easy to see the effect that this would have on all those whose interests were dependent on the farming community.

The difficulties of the present day were not local, but were world-wide, and, -although New Zealand could not affect Home markets, it could put its own house in order and endeavour to bring the costs of production in line with export values. The difficulties were great and ever-increasing at the moment, but he believed the time was not far distant when there would be a decided change for the better.

The cabled news that day, Mr. Ransom added, of the British Government's intentions in regard to tariffs, was cheering, and it was to be hoped that there would be further benefits to Dominion producers'. In the meantime, and until the Ottawa Conference, the country would have to do something to help itself.