Page 3 Advertisements Column 4

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18224, 18 October 1922, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR BIRKENHEAD AND BIRKDALE. Sir,—Would you give me a small space to reply to "X Ray?" In my letter I referred entirely to Birkdale. Birkenhead people are. quite capable of looking after their own interests. We aTa here, as I said, a long negleoted and probably very sleepy part of the borough and too neglectful of our own interests, hence our general backwardness. Barring a few large well-kept orchards, "X Ray" cannot deny the general air of neglect and want of care apparent in a very large number of properties mainly through the causes I mentioned. If the dwellers here wish the district to advance they must subdivide and quit the neglected portions of their sections. As an old colonist and a well-wisher of Birkdale I advise the ratepayers to vote for the road improvement, the electric light and power scheme, and water extension. The drainage scheme is Birkenhead'n business entirely and so is the fire brigade, but as I trust the people there - -ill help' us with our portion, I will vote the latter to help them. Cutting out the former reduces our paxt of the loan to £58,000. which will be a good investment. "Looking Fohward." Sir, —In the Herald of Monday last a letter dealing with the "present unenviable character of Birkdale" appears over the signature of "Looking Fcrward." The writer has chosen a 1 singularly appropriate nom de plume, as it is quite evident from his knowledge of the district that he cannot havd looked around, and has certainly not looked back. Had "Looking Forward" been less anxious for the loun proposals to be carried and more observant of his surroundings he would have found Birkdale far from being as stated in his letter. Those who are in a position to know give the district credit for good footpaths, and a first-class road from th* Birkenhead to the Birkdale Wharf. No gorse or fern; well-kept fences in most instances, and the land given ov« to the most intensive form of cultivation—the growing of strawberries. So far as means of access axe concerned we have a launch and steamer service to the wharf, and an efficient and well-conduoted motor-bus service enabling passengers via the ferry to land in Queen Street within 45 minutes. Now, with regard to the loan proposals, "Looking Forward" stiil makes rash statements, or perhaps this time he looks too far, for entrusting that all lovers of their district will vote for a better and extended transit service and water supply, he is doomed to disappointment. The loan expenditure under these two headings does not provide for an extension of either, and it is very questionable if the transit service under municipal control would be nearly so well conducted as at present. In conclusion, I trust that "Looking Forward" will look again before writing his next description of Birkdale in order to make sure of his facts, and, without going so far afield as the back blocks of the far North for a comparison, just acquaint himself with his own district, and he will find that it will compare, more than favourably with many of its much nearer neighbours. E. 0. Wat-tow. President, Birkdale Fruitgrowers and Ratepayers' Association. DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL. Sir, —Now that the Dairy Produce Export Control Bill is before the public, I trust that the dairy farmers throughout the Dominion will be aroused to see the disastrous results which would obtain should it be pushed through. During the war we were resigned to have our produce controlled. It was a war time measure ; it would help win the' war so we wsre content. Now that the war is won, and the necessity for requisitioning our produce over, our Government seems v«ry reluctant to relinquish the reins of control on our hard-won produce, and proposes introducing an Act to compel ub to hand over to a body of 11 men, who probably have never •milked a cow, the hard-won results of our labour. It is nothing more nor less than a scheme to introduce a dairy produce export tax, and to manufacture lucrative positions for a few. The Bill states that dairy produce means butter and cheese, Why not include whole-milk powder, casein, skim-milk powder, or any other product of milk? There is a provision for a levy, but no maximum amount, nor whether it will be per lb. butter-fat or pound sterling. For some considerable time now we have grown accustomed to seeing deductions and reclamations on our butter-fat statements, and when we see another levy deduction for dairy produce control and a ftirther reduction of our bonus, owing to the expenses of the board, we will then probably put our hands out to see if we are awake. I maintain that there is no necessity for a Bill of this nature. All the advantages claimed can be obtained by a board of representatives from every co-operative dairy company in the Dominion, and would be in every way as effective for marketing and purchasing necessary materials for manufacture, without the large expense to the producer that the proposed legislation wculd entail. In conclusion, I would point out that the object in view does not warrant such hasty legis- ; lation, without giving the man who is iwost seriously concerned time to thoroughly study and discuss this measure. I would earnestly ask every producer who i reads, thinks, and takes an interest Jin the welfare of the dairy farmers of thin Dominion, to strongly protest against the' Bill being rushed through by its promoters before it is thoroughly understood. R. J. McCattslaitd. DAIRY FARMING. Sir ,—I notice by the Hekali> of the . 13th inst., that A. Sanford baa been deterred from starting his grandson » dairy farm owing to the proposed Dairy Produce Export Control Bill. There are ether deterrents besides Control Bills. Is it a sound proposition to put a lad into? Can any dairy farmer show current inj terest on capital invested, and a, fair remuneration for the drudgery and long hours worked? Take an average case* as under, on a, farm off 100 acres, capable of dairying 30 cows," and! costing £40 per acre :—Outgoings : Interest o/n capital of £4000 at 6 per cent., £240; 30 cows at £15 each, £450; one bull, £20; two horses, £50'; milking machine, £200; implements, vehicles, harness and other plant, £13(1; capital invested in stock and plant, £850; interest on same at 6 per cent.* £51; 60 acres top-dressing per annum, £50; seeds and manure per annum, £15; depreciation on implements and plant, 5 per cent, on £330. £16 10s; total £372 10s. Income : 2401b. of butterfat per cow at Is 6d per lb. -would return from 30 cows, £540; returns from calves and pigs, £60; total gross income, £600. Outgoings, not allowing for unforseen contingencies and extra labour, £372 10s: nett income, £227 10s. In all fairness the wages and keep of a youth should be allowed for, say £2 a week--£104 a vear. This would bring the nett income down to £123 10s. Is this an adequate remuneration for a 70-hour week at least, during nine months of the year! Should Mr. Sanford's grandson launch into dairy farming and lose his cap>t»|> and have no other vocation he is able to follow, he would find himself a candidate for a iob in one of the poorest-paid mdurtrii in New Zealand, in .pwporfaon to tETtime worked, and en»fa| £j A CHALLENGE. Ta THE PROHIBITIONISm The New Zeals"* Alliance repeat*** publishes fi{ru«» Pssl fw Prohibit**. Americans «»*. Proh ,bitionisbß to mth W e challenge M»- m Aawrican duce any a *^T voto d „ had an. oppoxv. people have.ever tun, * y , ProSion. Let them answer National **f > S| B C. Tha Nat j on al Council Trade of New Zealand.- > (Advt). __________