CORRESPONDENCE ASSISTING THE FARMER

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 12, 16 January 1933, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE

ASSISTING THE FARMER

'To the Editor.)

Sir,—l was pleased to see Helen Wilson's letter in last night's "Post," and I sincerely hope that the powers that be may take notice, and when considering ways and means of assisting the farmer they -will make the first step one of giving him a square deal, by removing the unjust burden of county rates and making the road user-pay the full cost of construction and maintenance of tl\e roads he uses by increasing petrol and tire taxes. The farmer will still have to pay his fair share, as practically all his road transport is conducted by motor. Motor registration fees are already too heavy and are inequitable, as the man who runs his car a few miles a week pays as much' as one whose car is always on the road. This may reduce road traffic to some extent, but if it does, necessary transport can use the railways, thus preventing to some extent the heavy losses sustained by the Eailway Department. Motor traffic can be compensated by closing the branch railways that are not paying working expenses, and where roads are good enough to carry the extra traffic that these branch lines are now carrying. A schedule of maximum charges can be enforced to prevent the public from being victimised.

The Calgary farmers are talking of going on strike. Anyone might well shudder to think of the consequences of a farmers' strike here. However, there is some talk o£ a rates strike. Apart from all other considerations county administration costs, have increased out of all proportion to services rendered, and there has been much, talk of reducing costs by counties amalgamating, etc., but I think the best way out would be to cut the counties out altogether and place • the roads entirely under the , control of the Highways Board. Regarding hospital rates, employers pay large sums in, accident insurance to cover their employees) ■ against accident, and I see no valid reason why land owners should be called upon to contribute more toward the upkeep of hospitals than other members of the community. —I am, etc., ■ ' A.H.

•(To the Editor.) Sir, —In the contention of your correspondent, Helen Wilson, that the Government should do a number of specified things to help the farmer, I am afraid the purpose o£ Government is overlooked. If the many "helps" suggested were put into effect the Government would be then very little more than a farmers' agency. In my opinion, a . Government should govern for the benefit of the whole community, and should not bestow concessions on any section. Contrary to your correspondent's view, I contend that the simplest and only fair way to do justice to all is for the Government to collect the economic rent of community land value and use it for public purposes.; The farmers, along with all other sections of the population, would then receive their duos arid our unemployed would soon find, natural opportunities to labour for themselves.—l am, etc., ; . E. MOKKIS.