MILK STRIKERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18207, 30 September 1933, Page 8

MILK STRIKERS

MORE US. OUTRAGES AUTHORITIES CONCER NED ALBANY (New York), Aug. 9 New disorders and outrages arc reported hourly in connection with the strike of milk, farmers in this State, 'file methods by which they are demanding higher prices are causing the authorities great concern. A cement milk house owned by fanners who refused to strike was blown up to-day by dynamite. A deputy sherill attacked 400 striking farmers with steam, when the latter tried to wreck a dairy. Clashes between State troopers in steel helmets and farmers are frequent. The Governor of the State denies that he has ordered the mobilisation of the State National Guard, but he admits the possibility that National Guard units will be equipped with tanks to suppress disorders.

Many thousands of farmers are now engaged iri a determined blockade of the towns where normally they find their market. Those who persist in attempting to carry milk to the distributing centres do so at the risk of serious injury, and at the least of seeing their produce poured into the nearest ditch. The inovemeiit is one of protest against the price fixed bv the State's Milk Control Board as a fair one to lie paid to tho producer; the fanners demanding to be allotted 45 per cent, of the retail price .instead of the fixed figure of 35 per cent., which they declare to he less than the cost of production. The intensity of the “war" is one of the effects - of the desperate plight of American farmers in general, the vast majority of whom are burdened with debt, charges which, even at the improved. prices for farm produce, leave them little or nothing to live on. Another consequence of this situation is the fact that, in many parts of tho country, defaulting farmers cannot bo “sold up." because no one dare hid for the property or even attempt to conduct the sale. To lighten the lot of tho farmer, whether by bringing about a rise of prices or by extending direct financial assistance, is a principal aspect of Mr. Roosevelt’s “new deal"; Imt these matters, must take time, ami the farmers are in no mood of patience.