The Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 1918. MR LYSNAR’S MISSION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11616, 15 August 1918, Page 4

The Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 1918. MR LYSNAR’S MISSION.

IT ia a matter for regret that the Farmers’ Union Conference permitted itself to pass a resolution, at the instance of Mr W. D. Lysnar, of which many of thoaa who voted for it probably now feel ashamed. In another column we reprint from the Christchurch Press a brief exposition of Mr Lysnar’s contention and authoritative figures, which show that, perhaps, unconsciously he misled the Conference into the adoption of a motion practically censuring the British Government upon absolutely wrong premises. Mr Lysnar alleged that English manufacturers were making immense profits out of wool sold by’ the Imperial Government. According to him the price of wool in the open market was 75d per pound for 4(>’s, and that wool experts had stated to him that if tops were sold at 75d greasy wool would be worth, after certain deductions, 4s 3d per pound, A deduction of ud for expenses [and the buyer left a profit of 2s 7d per pound, aud he found that the country was losing from £0,000,000 to £8,000,000 per annum on the present arrangement. On the basis of di vision of profits between the British Government and the growers, the fatter were losing between £3,000,000 and £4,000,000 per annum on “the New Zealand quota sold by the Imperial authorities for civilian purposes.” Possibly complete exoneration from any charge of exceptional covetousness may be extended to those who voted for Mr Lysnar’s contention when we make allowances for the effect his-gaudy figures of manufacturers’ profits, and the consequent victimisation of the grower, would be likely to have on a gathering of men intensely interested in the question, but who had no opportunity to investigate the matter for themselves. In spite[of that, however, the majority who carried the resolution was only’ a small one, and it cer tauly brings into high relief the partriotio disinterestedness of any of those ir the minority who might have accepted Mr Lysnar’s figures as an accurate representation of tne g ituatiou, and’yet refused to [follow

him. It would, however, be charitable to assume that Mr Juysnar unintentionally mistakes his figures and mixes his Lets to their undoing, rather than that hejdeliberarely mis' represents. It appears that the very quotations upon whicldhe based ’his stat-uu-nt that 4G‘s were being sold

at 7o;i gave the price as STd. The 7-jd per'pcuud was for 7U’s merino, which interests New Zealanders very little indeed. And thUwhole or tire aoldon visionary fabric epou which Mr Lysnar fooled both himself and his hearers disappears into the void cf all phantasms. Mr Lysnar would, in fact, be far better employed in mating tro blades of wool grow where onlv one does at present thru in peripatetic missions to the auscltlemait cf the minds of men who had practically agreed to generously recognising the services of the sail

ors, who have through grim and awfnl dangers, seen to it that their wool' should resell the pure,baser. Mr Lyr.nar is very desirous that Imperial purchase should cease at the end of three months from the conclusion of tire war, Instead of twelve months frem that .happy date, and if wool-growers generally agreed with him and could compass their desire, they would be compassing their o«ni ruin. Under the present arrangement for a full twelve mouths they would have no care. Their income from their wool would be certain whether sent away or not; and meat companies, recognising the immense value of a twelve mouths’ guarantee are endeavouring to secure it for themselves. For with whet kind of export conditions shall we be faced at the end of the war? All newspapers, we may say, are looking forward to the time immediately after the war with a fear almost amounting to panic, .believing that every steamer that can cari'3 r men to the nearer countries, like America and Canada, will be pressed into the service. Commonsense and economy will dictate that the biggest crowds shall be shifted to the nearest countries, and that n steamer which can make four trips to America in the time required for one ta New Zealand or Australia is certain’To be so employed, and our present steamer service will be further deranged and restricted. Before Mr Lysnar comes out on another self-imposed mission he should deeply 'study that one of JEsop’s fables in which misfortune befell a dog which coveted the reflection of a joint of meat which it was carrying in its mouth.