FARM LABOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23272, 15 February 1939, Page 17

FARM LABOUR

Sir, —In reply to Mr. W. P. Kenah ro the above when lie says "Unless the farmers take a firm stand, the end of their freedom is at hand, and not only the farmer himself, but his wife and children will he miserable State slaves." Jn my opinion the Government is going the right way to make all dairy farms ill New Zealand into one-man farms — say, 50 to 60 acres —where one man, with a little bit of help from his neighbours occasionally, can easily manage the whole concern, thus doing away with the present shortage of labour on all large dairy farms. Does Mr. Kenah object to that procedure. or does he still want to see large dairy farms with their present shortage of farm labour? New Zealand dairy farmers were continually calling out for assistance from the Government before the advent of the guaranteed price; hut they were never on a more sound foundation as regards price than what they are now. We hear very little about the guaranteed price since butter on the London market has gone well below that price, but let it once go above and what a hue and cry. I should like to ask Mr. Kenah to be fair toward the small dairy farmers, and also toward the Government, which was returned by the labourer and the small working dairy farmer. I happen to get two of the leading agricultural papers from the Old Country weekly, and in mv opinion tho farmer out here does not know what Government restrictions and supervision mean, and all the time these Old Country farmers are calling out for more Government assistance, and a restriction of all foreign and colonial or Dominion agricultural imports. I am a. small fanner myself and have helped to put the present Government in power, and am pleased to say am quite satisfied with their legislation up to the present. Alex. Boyd.