MR. BARCLAY'S MEETING AT WAIPU

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1936, Page 3

MR. BARCLAY'S MEETING AT WAIPU

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Mr. Byrt’s statements are so biased, as to condemn themselves. I do not mind being attacked, but I do object to being muzzled. Probably, if he dropped his bias as a chairman, those with differing views would get a more reasonable spin at his meetings.

What I want is a fair deal for the farmer, the business man and private enterprise. Especially do I commend to the farmer the address given by Colonel Hargest, M.P., which appeared in last Tuesday’s “Advocate” under the heading “Labour charged with broken premises.” We have the Minister of Public Works expressing his pleasure that the Public Works employees are earning 19/7 per day and natives on similar works 28/- per day, while the farmer has his labour results taken from him and is given a price, and not what he earns. To keep the farmer and his sons on the land, we have the Minister of Internal Affairs suggesting that farmers should breed racehorses and have race picnics or meetings in their own iocalities. Does he suggest this as a Inal act in the farmer’s career? There is an old saying: “Put beggars on aorseback and they will ride to the devil.” This would surely happen if the farmer and his sons devoted their ime to breeding racehorses for that purpose mentioned.

The Minister might have gone further and suggested coursing as another

sideline at these picnics. Most farmers have a dog or two and this might easily be worked in. According to a famous coursing trainer, the breakfast of a well-trained dog consists of newlaid eggs and milk, lunch of broth to be served at noon, and dinner of steak, fish and soup at three o’clock and an hour later the animal retires for the night. If the Minister had suggested these for the 40-hour and five-day-a-week people it would be more practicable. Look at the opportunities—

Government farms breeding and training racehorses and coursing dogs, with race meetings in all localities ever, Saturday. We should then soon have no unemployed. Possibilities are so unlimited. —I am, etc., R. W. JOHNS.