“THE FUTURE OF FARMING”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24715, 18 September 1941, Page 5

“THE FUTURE OF FARMING”

TO THE EDITOB Sir,— May I thank "Countryman" for the able and restrained manner in which he refuted the malicious charges levelled at the farming community by Mr S. White, reported by your paper on September 11. When every export return testifies to the ability of the farmers to deliver the goods, such misleading statements could be dismissed as mischievous twaddle were it not for their unfortunate tendency to foster class antagonism. Most thinking people realise that New Zealand depends for the life blood of her commerce (overseas exchange) on exports, mainly of primary produce. If the farmers did not do their job of producing a large exportable surplus, then " the man in the street" would have something to talk about. Should Mr White be sincere in his quest concerning the future of farming," I suggest to him to read "The Labouring Earth," by C Alma Baker, C.B.E. Therein he will find some authentic "home truths," muchneeded knowledge and sufficient subject matter to detract his attention from the frailties—real or imagined—of his fellow-countrymen for some time to come.—l am, etc.. Home Truths. [The above letter must have been written in ignorance of the fact ; oointed out by " One of the Audience in our issue of September 15, that Mr White personally dissociated himselt from the views expressed by him as those of " the man in the street. —Ed.. O.D.T.]