FARMERS’ PROBLEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23811, 18 May 1939, Page 17

FARMERS’ PROBLEMS

TO THE EDITOR

Sir,—lt is with some amusement that one reads in your paper reports of meetings from all over New Zealand of farmers to debate the issue of guaranteed prices versus a high exchange rate. It would be more amusing still if it were not for the fact that the livelihood of farmers, large and small, was at stake. It is almost unbelievable that the sheepfarmers who were present at these meetings did vote against a guaran teed price, which, properly adjusted, would give them a reasonable income, in favour of a high exchange rate. With wool at 6d per lb, plus 25 per cent, exchange, the producer would receive 7id per lb. Wool at Is per lb, plus 25 per cent, exchange, would give a return to the producer of Is 3d per lb. It seems to me, Sir, that although raising the exchange would benefit the producer of highpriced wools, it cannot have the same effect with the low-country farmer, who can only produce lower-priced wools. This may explain the attitude of some members of the Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union when, at their recent meeting, they passed a resolution in favour of a higher exchange rate. The proposer of the resolution in relation to the fixed price plebiscite on proportional basis does not seem to be able to think along any line unless there is some per cent, attached to it. In this case, with his 2000 sheep giving him 20 votes against his neighbour’s one vote for his 100 sheep, the exchange has indeed risen to a dizzy height, giving him a 2000 per cent, advantage over his poor neighbour. It must be disturbing for farmers who supported the present Government during thr last election, and were members of the Farmers’ Union at the same time, to realise now that they have unwittingly supported both political parties. With the Labour Party’s subscription at 2s 6d and the Farmers’ Union’s at £l. I wonder what per cent, that is, and which gives the farmers most value for their money?—l am, etc., Clinton. John L. Kersc.