A CRITIC

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1936, Page 2

A CRITIC

OF dairy farmers

WELLINGTON, May 6

That some of the dairy farmers of the Dominion had brought on themselves the serious plight they wore complaining about was suggested in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Mr R. A. Wright (Ind., Wellington Suburbs), when supporting the amendment proposed by the Opposition to the Primary Products Marketing Bill.

Mr Wright who emphasised that he was not putting .all dairy farmers m that category, contended that in boom time s many of them had failed to take advantage of the money at their disposal to -reduce their liabilities. “When times were good, they did not take advantage of the opportunity to pay off their mortgages, nut speculated in the purchase of more land at liiwh prices, or in some other way, apparently in the belief that the good

times were to last for ever,” said Mr •Wright. “Now from many of those farmers who lost so heavily in this way, wo are getting the cry of poverty ; and the public is being asked to assist. They are asking the nonfarming section of the community to pay, but surely the non-farmers are not to blame for their plight. If a man in business in the city mortgages his property, speculates, and loses everything, , nobody sheds any tears over him.”

Mr Wright sa'id that he would not condom the dairy farmer who was in trouble for no fault of his own. iHe ought to be assisted, but it was unfair to call on the public, through legislation, and ask for assistance for the farmer who had brought trouble on himself. The bill airiied at extricating those farmers from difficulties for which they were to blame.