FARMERS' PROBLEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21935, 19 October 1934, Page 15

FARMERS' PROBLEMS

Sir, —"Struggling Farmer" and others blame the Government, city people and newspapers, for the desperate position in which dairy farmers now find themselves. There is, however, no one but themselves responsible for the sorry position. After long years of service I have learned that among farmers there is always a gang waiting to kick away the foundation one has built underfoot, the moment strength is being exerted to the limit on their behalf. This was exemplified not long ago, when the derating question was gaining ground, by farmers sending their county chairmen to the counties' conference to vote against the proposal. It had been contended that, in addition to the lid per gallon paid for motor spirit, many dairy farmers had an average of £SO extracted from them for road rates, which, with the petrol tax added, meant that the farmer has to pay from 5s to 7s 6d per gallon for the small amount of petrol he is now able to buy. Any farmer can find out how he is being victimised, by dividing his petrol consumption in gallons, into the combined petrol tax and road rates. Again, the Dominion Cabinet. which is composed mostly of farmers, insists that butter and cheese must be sold in New Zealand on a parity with that sold at Home. That is. if the negroes of America can sell butter at 4d per pound, the Dominion farmers must sell locally at the same figure, less transportation charges. Our farmers are the only class in this country who are required to compete with foreign coloured labour, and their own disloyalty to their class is mostly the cause of it." Should the depression last long enough to cause the farmer to recognise that his neighbour's welfare is identical with his own, whether he is a member of a county council or a member of the House, we will see justice dispensed to every farmer. Lately there has been some window-dressing which may indicate which way the wind is to blow. The Agricultural Department is about to allow a bonus of a reduction of Id per lb. on sodium chlorate, which is used by farmers for the destruction of weeds. Farmers here use from 31b. to 71b. each of tho chemical, so the saving of 3d to 7d per annum makes good reading if not too closely studied, but it may bo tho only of n sninll breeze which may be fajjned int£ a good favourable wind next year or some other year. The whole outcome, however, is in the hands of tho farmers, whether in the House of Representatives or on local bodies. Neabing Finaiitx*