FARMERS' WISDOM

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1934, Page 12

FARMERS' WISDOM

"WE TALK LOOSELY"

During the recent Farmers' ;Conference in Auckland, Captain H. M. Rushworth, M.P., said, among a lot of other things, "We talk very loosely at times." _ And, in looking back over the sessions, some remarkable statements were made, and Captain Rush-, worth's remark recalled' some of them, states "The Star." .

One_ speaker, dealing with the present financial conditions, said it wasallthe fault of ?<that colossal fool Winston. Churchill." - " -v

When talking on the small farms scheme, one said: "The'land chosen was fourth-class land, and' even with, unlimited manure, no man had a chance of making a living or even, a crust-of bread." Waxing eloquent on the monetary system, a delegate said, "The [whole trouble was the colossal greed'of man. There's nothing wrong with the monetary system. America's greed had been her downfall." The delegates wero not in agreement witti this man, and he was called an "obstructionist." One of the older members, after listening to twelve hours? talk on. Douglas credit, said: "I suppose I am. as stupid as an ass (quiet '■' hear hears" from the conference), but I don't know Tvhnt you have Taeen talking about at all." ■

Other remarks were:— . ■ "Costless butter' can be exchanged for costless clothing." "You can make a profit : out of nothing." ' : . '

"New Zealand will soon be a garden of beautiful ragwort."-1 . :' _ "You may just -as well' give the Government a 100 per cent, order on your_ cream cheques and trust them to provide you and yours with the necessaries of life,?'■ whereupon another delegate, a pessimistic one, remarked: "Well, the undertakers-would soon have a call on the orders.'.' / -

_ An interesting example of the_wajr in which a change in the feeding habits of birds can be effected; was mentioned by Mr. H. R. Wright, of ■ Avondale, a keen observer of nature ; (states the "New Zealand Herald"). Wiile .at Paihia recently he noticed: several fig trees thronged with mackerel 'gulls, which were feeding on the'figs." The fact that their feet were webbed did not seem to give them anj great difficulty in perching on-the*-branches;'-'. Mr. Wright considers that the taste' was acquired by the gulls through scrapi of fig rind having been thrown out ba gardens or lawns, ■•; -