Farmers Reply to Minister's Threat to “Point the Finger”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26437, 16 April 1947, Page 6

Farmers Reply to Minister's Threat to “Point the Finger”

pA WELLINGTON, Apl. 15. '" The Minister of Rehabilitation, Mr Skinner, has suggested that farmers who are tired of the unequal struggle should make their properties available to returned servicemen,' says an official statement issued by the Federated Farmers to-day. Mr Skinner said he is willing to ' point the finger' at the older farmers who choose to restrict their efforts. # x "It is interesting to note that Mr Skinner is an advocate ot hard and renewed efforts on the part of the people of New Zealand," says the statement, "and it is also of interest to inquire whether or not the Minister will also ' point the finger at those people who are restricting their efforts by striking and by going slow. Will he also ' point the finger' at those people who, through the practice of ' spelling ' actually work half the number of hours for which they are paid? What Mr Skinner should realise is that some of the tired farmers who are getting sick of the unequal struggle are actually still working very considerably longer hours than most of the people in other sections of the community, and have therefore more occasion to be tired. " Further, the Federated Farmers suggest that if Mr Skinner is going to ' point the finger' at all those people who are not doing their fair share of work in New Zealand, he is going to be kept exceedingly busy."