UNEMPLOYMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19455, 11 October 1926, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT.

Sir, —Ministers of the Crown and others are greatly concerned that there is so much unemployment. What else can they expect ? Country lands and industries are penalised in every way. Settlement has been made without proper access, roads throughout country districts are abominable. Railway freights have been raised to a stage that is nearly prohibitive, nearly all the requirements of the fanner are subject to price control —benzine, sugar, flour, wire, manures rates of commission on stock, etc. The crying need for successful farming is cheap manure and after a mighty effort by the Government superphosphate was reduced by the manufacturing companies by Is 6d a ton! It was a wonderful performance. If a yonng country settlement wants a school, it is asked to find a building and subsidise and find board for the teacher. Requests for postal and telephone facilities are treated on the same lines. The treatment accorded to outlying districts by successive Governments is absolutely scandalous. That and the roading conditions, with heavy rail freights and dear manures, is principally responsible for the many abandoned farms which constitute such a menace to the prosperity of our country. Backblocks.