FARMERS' PROBLEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21744, 8 March 1934, Page 13

FARMERS' PROBLEMS

Sir, —" Celor et A udax " criticises Mr. 13. Roberts for suggesting that the dairy farmers should receive a guaranteed internal price level of 15d per pound butter-fat. " Surely," he says, " Mr. Roberts docs not contend that that is possible." But let me remind this correspondent that in a recent statement Mr. Coatcs said that in the fiiist ten and a-half months, under the exchango subsidy, the exporting industries received some eight and a-half million pounds. Doubtless, a large proportion of this subsidy went in much needed assistance to the sheepfarmers. But one of the defects of the exchange subsidy plan is that those least needing assistance receive most. If wool remains at its present price, the sheepfarmers require no further subsidy, and under. the direct subsidy plan the additional 25 per cent now paid on wool would go a long way toward giving a living wage to the dairy farmer. " Coler ct Audax " says "the farmer is not asking for charity; a subsidy to my mind is nothing else. Cut down mortgages and the farmer will work out his own salvation." That is to 1 say that a subsidy paid by the whole community is charity, but a subsidy paid by one small section, i.e., the mortgago holders, is quite right and proper. Mr. Roberts' plan is not charity, but merely a recognition of community interdependence, and it implies a readjustment of mortgages in line with prices and wages. J. S. Montgomebib.