“CARPING” CRITICS

Evening Star, Issue 22671, 10 June 1937, Page 14

“CARPING” CRITICS

NORTH ISLAND FARMERS GOVERNMENT'S POLICY EXPLAINED A tilt at the “ carping critics ' of the Government in some of the North Island dairying districts was made by the Hon. W. Lee Martin when, addressing the South Island Dairy Association to-day. , “ We have been on the job only 18 months and 1 claim that during that time we have done a satisfactory job,” said the Minister. “In the process of development -and evolution which must take place in evexy phase of political and other life, I think that a lot of the difficulties and some of the inequalities and anomalies in existence to-day will be ironed out with your help and co-operation. _ We can go a long way if you will give ns that assistance. If we cannot get that help and co-operation, then it is a pretty difficult job to bring about these reforms, which we think are necessary. 5 ’ He thanked' the dairy farmers of the south for the manner in which they had responded to his and the Government’s appeals. The Taranaki and the southern districts farmers had been very helpful. There had not been that carping criticism which had been manifested in one or two other centres. For that, the Government was extremely glad. < The aim of the Government was that all who rendered useful service would be recompensed. The man who was working land owned by him should receive a fair return for the responsibility, the capital invested, and the work done.' Likewise, the man who was employed on the land should also receive a reward for his services.

“ It is impossible to have a flourishing and prosperous farming community unless the other people are, also prosperous,” said the Minister. “ You cannot have an impoverished working class and a farming community which is getting big money. They are so interlocked! and dependent on each other. The Government is therefore seeking in its legislation that there shall bo a just reward to all rendering a service, and is endeavouring to give to the farming community a measure of security and to make their job worth while by guaranteed prices, the adjustment of mortgages, and orderly marketing. No matter what others might say, there was no job so important as that of the primary producer. Twenty-five years ago, he conceived the idea that the only place on which to make money was the land. (Laughter.) They all got mad streaks occasionally—(laughter) —and he must have had a bee in his bonnet, when, after living in the town, ho decided to milk eight cows on a , 10-acre block outside Wanganui, When he learnt to milk, he thought he was a “ full-blown ” 'farmer, sold up his home, and moved to the Waikato. His troubles then began; but if he had to live his life again, h* would become a farmer. -