RURAL SCOTLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 February 1930, Page 8

RURAL SCOTLAND

FARMERS' DIFFICULT TIMES

DUMPING OF GERMAN GRAIN

The age-old problem of the farmer—as indeed of most other people—of how to 'make ends 'meet," is ifwdently no easier of solution in Scotland than in New Zealand, according'to Dr. VV. Saddler, who has come to Christehureh as Professor of Mathematics at Canterbury College. Though claiming no special knowledge of agriculture, Dr. Saddler has spent much time in rural Scotland, and knows that the Scottish farmer, in spite of his traditional thrift, is, generally, not having a prosperous time at present. ■ When discussing this with a "Press" reporter yesterday, Dr. Saddler said he was not going to attempt to give a reason for it. •He bad often been told, however, that it did not pay to-day to produce. Scottish farmers had certainly been hit by the. decline in the value of wool. The black-faced breeds of sheep were predominant in. Scotland, and there was not much demand for this class of wool.

Then a great outcry had been raised by the dumping of German grain in Scotland, and underselling ih« local product. This had had a very serious effect, and had aroused keen feeling. Generally speaking ih» Scottish farmer was a good farmer, and used the most, up-to-date methods. Tractors, for example, were in general use. There had not been the wholesale division of the uig estates as there had been in England. In some of the places in the North co-operative fanning was being tried, but with what success ho could not say.

SCOTTISH INDUSTRY

In the. towns there was certainly evidence of unemployment. The workers however, reeined to he- working very hard, and it was coulkiently expected that this would ultimately' mean the. salvation of industry. In Dundee, a town he knew well, the manufacture of jute products was the staple industry but the export market had been adversely affected. The masters of industry were, however, not pessimistic about the future.