CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, 7 October 1916, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

WOOL FREIGHTS AND THE

FARMERS

(To the Editor.)

; Sir,—Would it not be as well for the farmers to back up Mr Pearce 'in Kis protest against the freight charges on wool? It is no policy to sit still and do nothing, as we have been doing in the past, and all farmers are interested. It is wool this year, cheese next, and so on—the ring is careful to keep us divided. Something vigorous and definite should be done, or this little country will be dragged at the heels of the American money kings, and that is not a pleasant prospect for Britishers. The' Government has keen waving the big stick for a long time, but it comes to nothing, and they will do nothing until the people force the position.

Supposing in this meat deal our Government commandeer our meat at the present price, and anything further that is, obtained (and it should be ' a very considerable sum) should be used to found a shipping company, 75 per cent to go to the producers and 25 per cent to the Government as war profit, I believe the farmers would be only too pleased to do it, as they know the danger and have had good reason to try and get even with the shipping ring. It may be a difficult thing to work, but a combination of the freight owners and the Government would be strong enough even to defy the trusts. In the meantime let us try and back up Mr Pearce.

0. J. HAWKEN