Readers Write

Northern Advocate, 29 March 1938, Page 6

Readers Write

The Prime Minister is reported to have stated recently; “Our first object is to help those who have no chance

* P.W.D. WORKERS’ PAY.

to help themselves. This is the poorer class

of the community.” This savours of political propaganda on the eve of the election. Will the Prime Minister, or some of his Cabinet Ministers, say why it is that there are thousands of workers on the Public Works Department receiving a long way less than the basic wage? Many men now employed do not earn £3 18/- per week, and some of them have to keep two homes going at that. Instead of saying what thfey are going to do, let them do the job that is before them and place all workers’ wages within the edict iald down by the Arbitration Court. Perhaps Mr Barclay can answer this query,— “WORKER.”

Some years ago I suggested that the description of the river as from the Town Wharf to Kioreroa should be included in the Nautical Almanac. This was eventually done. The depth given in the almanac is 6ft at L.W.S.T., right across the low water channel opposite the Bluff. We have frequently had complaints that the boat was unable to get up to the town wharf until after half-lido The board, however, at its last meeting, reported that there v/as 6ft of water at L.W.S.T. As I have had a considerable amount of experience in practical coastal navigation, I was sufficiently' interested to take soundings of the channel. *

HARBOUR DEPTHS.

The depths are, at intervals of about 20ft opposite the Bluff, Ift, 3ft, sft, sft, Aix Gins and Ift. I would remind the board that when I raised the question of putting this part of the harbour into the Nautical Almanac the board stated definitely that the river did not silt. I would also point out that to a seaman working the river with the assistance of the chart only, the' depth cannot possibly be regarded as more than 3ft. Unless he is going dead slow, and sounding all the way, he canndt possibly find out where the deepest water is situated. There is no description in the almanac to definitely guide the master of a boat. He has a right to expect 6ft of water right across the area shown on the chart in the almanac. It should not be necessary to remind the board that the duty of the board is to see that the Nautical Almanac is kept corrected, and to see that the almanac supplies in every detail a proper description of the navigable parts of the harbour. —J. F. S. BRIGGS.

Although Mr Stuart A. Brown floundered so badly with the compensatoryprice subject, he should not display petulance and resort to childish recrimination. Your correspondent is concerned about wearing products manufactured in other countries. Is that not the method by which we get paid for exports? I referred to primary products, not industrial, when I stated that our own people were our best customers. Further, I will inform him that all our products, primary and secondary, are paid for with New Zealand money, and are all "consumed" (sooner or later) by New Zealand people. I am going to apply the death adder to this high costs of production bogey! I have previously stated that butter can be produced cheaper today than at any period during the 20 years that I have been farming in Northland. Last year, I produced nearly 17,0001 b of fat on the same farm, and with the same labour that I produced about 13,0001 b in 1933. Within the last two years, cash in savings bank and reduction of mortgages amount to over £9oo—that is with an additional herd to the above, and a small grazing block. Not by cheap or free family labour. I am prepared to produce vouchers to substantiate this, and submit same for confirmation by any responsible person you may appoint. Please note that no adjustment of Mortgages was made by the court, and the income to accomplish this came from no outside source.

FARMERS' COSTS.

I have not recorded these figures by way of boast, as hundreds of other dairy farmers must have done better. Nor have I done so to secure the return of the Labour Government; they are able to look after themselves. My desire is to awaken the indifferent to the vital necessity, in the interests of the people of all callings, to insist that candidates pledge themselves to retain the State control of money, State Mortgage Corporation, and control Of marketing, with a stabilised price for dairy products. Any variation would not be for the welfare of the country. It would be in the interests of the speculator and financial houses. It is futile to discuss a reserve fund built up by farmers; it is impossible of attainment, and there is no need when a Government guarantees you all the markets return, and the elimination of fluctuations.

Don’t despise a good system because you disapprove the party in power. The principle is sound, and there will be no fault when your “fancy” party is returned to office. —E. WOOLHOUSE.