Readers Write

Northern Advocate, 28 May 1938, Page 4

Readers Write

In your issue of Tuesday last, 1 noticed a report which interested me very much: “Dairy Surplus to be Given to Farmers.”

MR SAVAGE GOES A-WOOING.

This I read carefully on two oc-

casions. At first I thought the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage had invented a new poker game, but on second thoughts I realised that he was entering into a mild courtship with our Farmers’ Union representatives. Playing poker with the farmers' own money seemed rather comical to me; hence my second conclusion. However, I do not hesitate to remark that our farmers will take little notice, or regard seriously, any flirtation by Mr Savage. I honestly believe he is just passing through one of his frivolous moods. He, like the Minister of Mines, must have his little joke—“ Farmers are not the backbone of New Zealand.” Anyhow, who can blame Mr Savage for suddenly climbing down the pole, and for his wonderful generosity in giving to us that which he says is ours. But why this sudden change? Of bourse, our worthy Prime Minister fully realises that a further mandate from the farmers of, this Dominion next election day will be greatly appreciated by the Labour Party, while, on the ether we realise, as t farmers, that socialisation of our farm lands and homes is a bitter pill to j swallow, and rather a risky experi- ] ment. i

Mr Savage promises a tribunal headed by a Supreme Court judge, and offers to lead us to Parliament House to ask for it. Very courageous of him, I must say. He thinks it will save him an awful lot of trouble. Perhaps. But why could not have Mr Savage offered these enticing proposals before? Two golden opportunities have gone by. At last he realises the day of judgment and reckoning is close at hand, and farmers are awakening, surely but slowly. Next he says we will have a guaranteed minimum price with a surplus. This is a new one altogether. Is this the new pup we have been so patiently waiting for? It sounds as though our Minister of Finance is having a little joke, too, so let us hope this pup is in good health, and not suffering from hydrophobia, as the last one was.

Mr Savage says he wants us to carry on farming. Does he mean as owners of our farms, or as peasants, like we find in Russia and Germany? This point is interesting. I am surprised that such a magnetic personality as Mr Savage, the great master mind, should be so entangled in a web of his own spinning. He bows in despair to the farmers for their support, in return for which he gives to us the Daily Account surplus. What docs the man with the umbrella think of this repentant mood of our Prime Minister? I wonder.

And while this little drama goes on, the Labour banner floats aloft, displaying to the farmers the words; “Socialisation of our homes and farms.” Surely, tragedy and comedy are mingled here, and the writing on the wall is plain to all.

In conclusion, Mr Editor, I thank you and would like to remind readers of that old proverb: “A leopard never changes its spots. It always bites the hand that feeds it.” So, farmers, beware.—H. W. RUSK (Towai).

If, as one correspondent says, Mr Savage is going to give the farmers everything over and above what

FAVOURING THE FARMER.

is received under Iho guaranteed price scheme, then it will

be well for the farmers in times of prosperity. But what I, as a townsman, cannot see is why we should have to stand the buffet of a bad season, when the farmers are not receiving their full price on the market, and when we, as taxpayers, must help maintain the guaranteed price.

Should not any surplus at present be set aside against lean years, which are just as probable as good times, instead of being unthinkingly divided among the farmers? I will give it in that the farmer is the backbone of the country—l am not sufficiently narrowminded to deny that —but surely he should understand that rainy days must be provided for. He may say the Government provides for that—but are we not the Government? That is, am I and other readers not the ones 1 who will have to pay the piper when the wheels of prosperity rust up a trifle?

Then the logical thing, surely, is for the Government to conserve dairy produce receipts against a time when those receipts may not be so bountiful. My scheme would be to grant the farmer a sum sufficient to give him a reasonable living, at the same time allowing plenty of scope for an efficient farmer to rise above the common level, and to create a reserve of the balance against bad times.—“THßlFT."'

There has been a lot of writing by correspondents in your paper concerning the guaranteed prices and the alleged “wooing” of

BUTTER PRICE BUBBLES.

the farmer thereby. Exactly what all the fuss is about I do

not know. When the time comes for serious electioneering, we will have the case discussed from every angle, and will be able to decide which to support for ourselves. At present, we only hear utterings from various responsible and irresponsible peopIe—“CURIOUS,”