TIMELY TOPICS

Northern Advocate, 9 March 1936, Page 4

TIMELY TOPICS

PRODUCERS AND FARMERS. “When we speak • of representing the consumers’ point of view, the consumers whom we have in mind are those who ultimately use and enjoy the products of industry; and it is on their , behalf that vigorous protect ought to be entered against the policy which is being at present pursued. Doubtless the majority of farmers would have been far more reluctant to enter into schemes based on representing the consumers’ as well as the producers’ point of view. The farmers, mostly convinced individualists, were bribed into the marketing schemes by the offer of monopoly and it is possible to argue that, if the schemes had been started on a more equitable basis, many of the farmers would have stood out against coming into them at all. There was a case for meeting the farmers when it was only a question of organising the marketing of the home product without imposing any control on imports, for a producers’ organisation was not inimical to the consumers’ interests as as the market remained free. But as soon as restrictions were imposed, either by tariffs or by other means, on the importation of foodstuffs from abroad, it became manifestly unreasonable to exclude the consumers from a voice in control.”—G. D. H. Cole, in “The People’s Year Book.”

® •<6> & < Words of Wisdom.

We always have time if we but use it properly.— Goethe,

4> <S> <S> Tale of the Day.

Two Scotsmen met for the first time after twenty years. “Well, well,” said one, “we’ll have to celebrate.” “Ay,” agreed the other; “so we will. But ye will forgive me for reminding you that I paid last time.”\