FARMING PROBLEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23183, 1 November 1938, Page 13

FARMING PROBLEMS

Sir, —In contradiction to Mr. Schmitt's contention, I think that it is a very good thing to have the dnergent opinions of others coming from entirely different farming conditions, and if this country cannot compete successfully with cheaper production, then it is only a matter of when we will have to give place to those who have gained the advantage over us. Our greatest danger is that viith a huge majority of town and city dwellers growing up, voters can increase hardships upon rural workers so as to make it impossible for them to compete on the world's open markets. Notions about the farmer's chance of making £6OOO a year income is only fantastic imagination. One would need to milk between 400 and 500 cows for even a gross return approaching these figures, and would then be fortunate to net, 10 per cent profit. 1 will venture the assertion that the average income of a working farmer is not more than 20 per cent of his gross earnings when taken ovor a period of years. This leaves 80 per cent of his income to pay costs —a very small margin, considering the hea'vv liabilities he is shouldering. There certainly must be something seriously wrong, when so many are leaving the country and crowding into the city, and when all but 4 to 5 per cent of lads leaving school are ignoring the calling of the land for their services, at a time, too, when ragwort and many forms of noxious weeds are threatening to overrun the Dominion. It is all very well, too, to cry the farmer down for not providing enough feed for his stock, etc.. but such people know littVe of the difficulties that he is confronted with. It is wrong also to place too much blame upon the Labour Government. They are endeavouring in many ways to deal with the difficulties, and their term of office has not long begun. They need, however, to refrain from boosting up the cities and to give more earnest consideration to our exporting community. They should aim at getting, say, one-third of the population on the land, if we are to maintain a snfe economic equation. They need not, however, be blamed for the sins of all the sinners in the past. •Fair Criticism.