AN IRRIGATOR’S PLIGHT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23951, 28 October 1939, Page 9

AN IRRIGATOR’S PLIGHT

TO THE EDITOR

Sir,—Owing to the poor returns received by farmers for their wool, and for the fat ewes sent to the freezing works last season, off their second and third-class land under the Manuherikia and Galloway irrigation scheme, the farmers were not able to pay their water rates in full, and all efforts to secure a reduction in the price have been turned down by Mr Semple (Minister of Public Works). During the slump in prices previous to the Labour Government the settlers were given a 12 J per cent, rebate for prompt payment, and this was much appreciated. At the present time those settlers who are In arrears are refused water, and their pastures are now starting to wither and their ewes and lambs must also suffer, while the Public Works Department is turning the water down the river to waste and refusing to supply out of the storage dams when it would not cost any extra to put it on the settlers’ land until such time as he can make arrangements to pay. This is Mr Semple’s idea of humanity. The Government is asking the farmers to produce more, and this is how the Minister of Public Works is helping them to produce—by starving the settlers and their stock and letting their grasses perish. Britain and her blockade of Germany could not be any worse than Mr Semple’s blockade of the poor unfortunate farmer who is depending on water for his bread and butter. I worked on farms and sheep runs practically all my life, and saved enough money to buy a small place, but I say definitely that there must be something wrong with any youth or man who goes on a farm and works 60 hours for £2 5s a week. The men on public works have received another rise of 5s per week, but the farm worker or farmer gets nothing. The old saying “ go to the land, my boy,” Is exploded. Go on the public works, or get a job in an industry, on the wharf or in a freezing works and join the union, go on strike, and vou will get anything you want. —I am, etc., Ifngator.