LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24849, 22 March 1944, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Industrial Peace gj r —Q n e could not but smile at Mr. John Guiniven's statement that the capitalist is the workers' friend, wearing as it does, the imprint of the shamrock. It reminds one of Paddy, who, upon being asked how he liked his ne« job, replied: "Sure and it's the asiest I ever had. All I do is carry these bricks up the ladder and the chap at the top does all the work!" In introducing the old bogey of Communism he apparently overlooks the fact that both it, and unionism, its offspring, have been practised by the capitalists of the world ever since they became such. Only in this way could thev retain their privileges. They are now confronted with a weapon of their own forging. By inferring that we are dependent upon the capitalist to turn the wheels of industry he suffers under a delusion. Capital is created by the people and should therefore be at their disposal. With his closing comment lam in complete accord. H. Dale.

Mil ford. Disposal oi Sewage Sir, —1 agree with Kay Goodson that it is diflicult to believe that we New Zealanders are so short-sighted as to object to good use being made of valuable town sewage. In this connection it is with considerable interest that 1 recall being "crimed" for some misdemeanour while undergoing training at a New Zealand Military Depot m Kngland in 1916, and, for my si us, being sent to the town's sewage farm to work out my sentence. This town is of some 6000' inhabitants and is less than GO miles from London. The sewage farm had an area of about 16 acres, and was, I believe, a permanent establishment. It grew excellent vegetables. The New Zealand "lot" was only a small corner of it. . The week 1 spent at the farm with my half-dozen brother delinquents under a tJough-looking corporal was instructive and not unpleasant. We worked hard, but there was nothing offensive about the tasks allotted us, nor in our surroundings. It seems to me that we New Zealanders are becoming too fastidious, almost supersensitive. Perhaps in some directions we ure over-educated, 'and, in mundane things, not sufficiently educated. We can "mike good use of the example of tlie older countries. Oi-n Soldier.

Dairy Production Sir. —I agree with "Waikato Farmer" that labour has not affected the smaller farmer milking 50 to 100 'r.ws. Hundreds of farmers with their families carry on ai before the war, but their production has dropped considerably owing to the lack of fertilisers. On many farms the smaller supply of fertilisers was not so much noticed in the first and second year, but to-day, as "Waikato farmer" says, weeds fire taking the place of grass. As time goes on farmers will be getting back to the old days when tho best of our land would carry only one cow to three acres. This position was not due to lack of manure, but to the wrong use of it. causing the pastures to run out. As old farmers know, land cannot be ploughed to-day to resow as in the past owing to the amazing number of new weeds, which outgrow the grass seed. IJut the farmer can help himself. Does lie waste the liquid manure and let this valuable fertiliser run down llie drain:-' If a farmer milks, say, a herd of 100 cows, he could liquid manure 50 acres. In ni.v district the most successful farmers are the ones who have been using this valuable manure for many voars with excellent results. The herds thrive on the pasture where this has been used and are free from disease, such as mamniitis. One of these enterprising farmers milks 1'25 cows (two men). His production is 2711b. of fat per cow. He only uses liquid manure mixed with skim milk. A cow gives approximately ten tons of manure a year, much of which is deposited in the shed yards. If farmers used this valuable materia! they would save this country thousands of pounds and would certainly increase production. Another Waikato Farmer. Te Awamutu,