THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FARMER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23205, 1 June 1937, Page 5

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FARMER

ro rut' EDixon Sir, —I would be obliged for a little space to ask Mr MacManus a few questions arising out of statements in bis recent letters. ], When and .where has the fanners mortgage interest been reduced since the present Government took office? Does Mr MacManus know of any farmer in Otago who lias had his inflated mortgage value reduced under this Government's legislation? Has not the increase of £ I per week in the farm labourer's wages placed an increased first mortgage of £JOOO on every farm where a man is employed? Also does not every rise in the basic wage cause the fanner to pay more for everything he requires—e.g.. to pay for a pair of boots ho must produce, say. half as much more butter-fat than formerly? This in a year of good prices. If the price fell he would have to produce still more. 2. The guaranteed price of butter-fat was the average of what the farmer received in the world's market during the last 10 years. Is it not now evident that the guaranteed price was below world parity for this year? Otherwise why this talk of a bonus? 3] gain for the farmer the full value of his product.” Arc the following not deducted:—Factory or freezing work charges. including wages: railway charges, including wages: loading charges, mostly wages; shipping charges, including wages? Is

it not possible that wages could bo | raised throughout so that nothing is left for the farmer? 4. Has not the Labour Government raised the wages so that a farmer who milks 50 cows must pay to the man who assists the produce of 20 cows and for the expenses of running the farm, rates, taxes, etc., and his own living, the produce of the other 30 cow's? —I am, etc., Inquirer.