THE FARMER'S LOT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1039, 11 June 1924, Page 6

THE FARMER'S LOT

LUNCH CLUB ADDRESS. SOME INTERESTING VIEWS. A plea-for tho better recognition of the work.of the farmer was maue by Mr O. Mcrirad, ot j/aim'erston .North, who was the speaker at to-day s meeting of the Lunch Club. M: K. C. Clayton presided over a good attendance of members. Mr Monrad, at tho outset, stated that his address was supplementary to that he had delivered before members some time oaek. He briefly traced some of the salient features of tho previous address in order that his auditors might grasp more fully the significance of the remarks he was about to make. Mr Monrad then went on to deal with the financial side of iarming. lie stated that, with tho corii-iderablo amount of borrowing that was going on in the towns, money was scarce lor tlie development of farms, which was a necessity if the country was to progress. As the comfort of a town was increased, so the land was placed at a disadvantage, which the speaker considered should not be the ca=e. Another point in connection with the financial aspect of the question was the shortage of money generally, which acted detrimentally on the farming community.

13ETIER SHIPPING FACILITIES

Touching on farmers' co-operative ' organisations, the speaker stated that one method by which they could be improved was by the farmers having better shipping facilities. There was at present too much Governmental control in farming matters, which was not in tho interests of farmers, lie would essay the opinion that buttermaking by the Government would result in an increase of the price of that commodity to at least 3s per lb. The population of the Dominion was not increasing rapidly enough. This country was one of the finest of tho world and could easily hold 20 million people. Here there were plenty of opportunities for development. Farmers generally did not pay enough attention to tho scientific side of their operations. TAXATION QUESTION.

Regarding taxation Mr Monrad stated that the present land tax, in the main, was a fair and equitable one and did not require considerable machinery to enforce, from the farming view point, the land lax was preferable to the income tax. Land was really worth its productive value, but this did not usually govern its selling value. Backblock land could be obtained much below its productive value. Much could be done to assist the lot of the farmer, who was occasionally the subject of pity from townspeople. 'there were many ways in which tho status of the farmer could be improved. In other walks of life men were honoured by the State, and whv not in farming? asked Mr Monrad. Scientists, actors and judges received titles lor their services to the State, but had any of those present ever heard of a farmer receiving a title for the scientific breeding of cattle? If, occasionally, a government gave a farmer a title for such services, the action would encourage younger owners of land to use their energies to their maximum ability. Touching on the difference between dairying and sheep farming lands, the speaker stated that the former were the more productive. The backblock men were deserving of fuller consideration from the public. lhey swelled tho country's wealtn to a most considerable extent, but their efforts did not gain recognition. More money should bo placed at their disposal tor tne development of their farms, ihe agricultural farmer had passed through very hard times, but he was now coming into" his own and had a good future before him. DAIRY PARMER'S LIFE.

Ihe onerous duties that fell to the lot of a dairy lariner were men enumerated by tuo speaker, wiio showed mat, beiore the subjects ot his remarns couid expect to mu.ve a reasonable return irom tnoir operations, tnoy had XO undertake mucu hard and tnorough worn. ihe speaker concluded by staling tnat there was no caning ot greater importance to the State Uian mat oi farming. on tne motion oi -ur J. Carter the club's usual hearty vole ot thanks was accorued Mr Monrau.