FARMERS AND THE FUTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22877, 4 November 1937, Page 15

FARMERS AND THE FUTURE

Sir, —The dairy farmers of New Zealand by their brains and energy have built up the largest industry in the country. Waste lands have been turned into thousands of smiling farms. During the depression years the output of butter alone was lifted from 80,000 to 140,000 tons. That is the picture of the past. What of the future? Our butter and cheese are commandeered at the lowest possible price, the present marketing scheme pirated from our own Dairy Board, our costs raised in all directions, and slowly and surely tens of thousands of self-reliant farmers are becoming State slaves. Mr. J. A. Lee's statement in the House that "the guaranteed price represented the best system of piecework" is galling to the fine men and Splendid women who toiled year in and year out to make the dairy industry what it is to-day. Last year exports from New Zealand totalled £04,621,474. Of this sum dairy farmers contributed £24,047,000, while wool, lamb and mutton accounted for £39,227,000. The public aro made to believe that the dairy farmers received a bonus from the Government of £650,000. The truth is that when accounts arc finalised the farmers will havo got exactly what. their produce brought on the market. Except for a percentage of inefficient farmers, who think erroneously that they are going to get something for nothing, we are still prepared to depend on ourselves, our energy and self-reliance. The present prosperity is entirely due to the farmer, and the better prices ruling in England for our produce. If prices drop, Mr. Nash can no more insulate New Zealand from the result than he can insulate it from earthquakes. Bnglan. W. I'. Kknah.