LEGISLATION FOR FARMERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22717, 1 November 1935, Page 4

LEGISLATION FOR FARMERS

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—One of the most cruelly misleading statements of to-day is that the present Government party is a farmers' Government. 'J'bis, combined with as much deceptive legislative remedial measures for farming has been the source of much misunderstanding and ill feeling between farmers, workers and shopkeepers, who in sober truth are companions in misfortune. Certainly the voting power of about 80.000 farmers placed on the Treasury benches a party that is largely comprised of farmers, but there the connection ends. A thoughtful review of the legislation passed in the troublous years will prove that it is a Government assisting—and. in fact, obeying—only those who " farm " the farmers*. The amazingly all-control-ling powers enjoyed by stock and station firms previous to the slump was notorious enough: but. with the recognition-granted thronch legislation to thein to-day the stock mortgage system looms like a Frankenstein monster menacing the foolish farmer class that created it. Truly, indeed, the sins of the fathers are visited on their sons. Previously it was recognised that the farmer who came within the clutches of certain stork and station firms was as good as ruined. And now I ask every thoughtful person to study the legislation passed by this pseudo farmers' Government in the slump period, and visualise the powers enjoyed by these firms to-day. Ask the land mortgagee his opinion. What of interlocking directorates? The interests of the private land mortgagee have been absolutely crucified,

and the farmer mortgagor is not one whit better. Only the accounts of the stock mortgagee benefit. A farmers' Government would have done as follows: —(1) Promoted legislation completely altering the present appalling chaos of land mortgagee and accruing interest (permitting, as it has done, vicious abuses and land speculation), and would instead have instituted measures providing for the average farmer security of tenure and conditions safeguarding him from the evils of land speculation. (2) The complete abolition of the present stock mortgage system. This should have been done instead of pegging the exchange. (3) The formation of a State rural bank to finance the farmer in the purchase of all requirements, also to enable him to carry on successfully the business of farming. This will be successfully achieved under Social Credit. (4) Fostering by the Government of a complete co-operative system of marketing and distribution of farm produce, preparation of meat, wool, grain and dairy* produce for exnort, and the transport of same. No other industry would permit itself to be loaded with such an immense, costly and needless parasitic evil as farthing endures under the load of the stock mortgage system of to-day.— I am, etc., J. B. Birtles. Green Island, October 31.