FORGOTTEN FARMERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27092, 28 May 1949, Page 8

FORGOTTEN FARMERS

Sir, —The spring season Is known as the “ Rise of Grass ” —a re-awakening of life and a renewal of hope. How few realise that the security and well-being of all our people depend on grass which, throughout .the ages, has played such a vital part in the advancement of civilisation. Grass is the logical crop to conserve soil, increase fertility and alleviate floods and droughts. Jonathan Swift said that whoever makes two blades of grass gro\v where only one grew before renders a more essential service to his country than all the politicians put together! Can anyone point to a single Labour member of Parliament who cares whether even one blade of grass grows? They are mainly interested in creating a false set of values for city dwellers, completely ignoring the fact that such values can only be sustained by increased farm production. The Labour Government has stripped the rural districts of their population and is rapidly taking away from farmers the incentive and ability to produce more. It is therefore inevitable that, if it is permitted to retain office, the top-heavy structure it is responsible for must collapse and bring grief and pain to most people. What New Zealand urgently needs is a government that will unreservedly implement a “ back to the land" policy designed to encourage a greatly-increased rural population and much greater production from our second, third class and marginal lands. Had such a policy been initiated at the commencement of the war New Zealand would be exporting to Britain more than double the food it is to-c'ay and so would have prevented Argentina unashamedly holding Britain to ransom for its essential meat supply.

Otago's lack of progress is mainly due to the effect of the Labour Government's policy on those farming second, 'third class' and marginal land. Ninety per cent, of the land in Otago is either third class or marginal land. If Otago is to progress and the standard of all be sustained, then the electors of Dunedin and North Otago must play their part and make up their minds to wipe the slate clean next November and return to Parliament representatives determined to restore incentive to farming and so place the basic industry of Otago on a firm and secure foundation. —I am, etc., Wetherstones Richard S. Thompson.