THE FARMERS’ UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24431, 17 October 1940, Page 9

THE FARMERS’ UNION

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —The meeting of the Otago section of this organisation as reported this morning, certainly put in some good propaganda in support of the monetary cranks who are abundantly in evidence at the present time. This organisation even went so far in ordei to castigate the British Government, by continually referring to it as “the Imperial Government.” In doing so it was no doubt aware how unpopular this word sounds to a certain unthinking section of the community. In suggesting ways and means of showing how the New Zealand farmer could be helped, this organisation practically requests the British Government to make a complete somersault in its own policy of overseas trade, etc., etc.

I maintain that it Is entirely outside the Farmers’ Union province to begin at this stage to criticise the policy of the British Government. Let this organisation by all means begin nearer home in assisting to put the whole economy of its own producing country in order first. Although many of our tried customs and usages are at present being superseded by so-called modern theories, it is still wise to admit “ that the customer is always right,” more especially if that customer is practically the onlv one you have that is of any value. Farmers particularly should know that import restrictions and other impediments to the free. flow of international goods, especially inter-Empire goods, cause the existence of a lopsided balance which must bring about an accumulation of products—in our case ! foodstuffs —and by their very nature they are not so readily placed in other markets of the world as surplus British manufactured goods are. Great Britain must export if she is to live, and she will live. Therefore we in New Zealand should Import all the quality goods that are wanted by New Zealand people. These goods can be easily paid for and would be paid for, by increased purchases of farmers’ products by Great Britain, but to “ insulate" so that we are capable of building our own nation, and therefore mdke all that we require, is only talking sheer nonsense. What of our secondary industries? Admittedly many of them are being carried on under conditions which must be regarded in the national sense as very precarious, when compared with British industrial enterprises. If we insist on pursuing our present policy of importing the bare raw materials necessary to bolster up our “ assembly industries ” only to the extent of our purchases of raw materials plus interest owing, what will our export trade figures reach? Finally I would ask why. if it is in the interests of Great Britain to go to the Argentine or any other country where longer transportation and other hazards can be avoided in securing her necessary food-stuffs, should' we in New Zealand have the impudence to criticise her policy? Let us put our own house in order and make our foodstuffs available at competitive world prices.—I am, etc., October 16. Unbiased.