PRICES OF DRAIN PIPES.

Southland Times, Issue 21560, 25 November 1931, Page 3

PRICES OF DRAIN PIPES.

To the Editor. Si r _J should like to direct the attention of the Fanners’ Union executive to the prices ruling for common ordinary drain tiles as compared with say, 1914-15. Per 1000. Year 1914. Year 1931. 3 inch 60/- 170/21 inch 50/- 150/And the quality nowadays cannot be compared. I used to buy well made tiles with a smooth bore and clean at the ends; also I always preferred to walk along the newly laid drain on top of the tiles to make certain they were well and evenly laid. Now if one does so they crackle like egg-shells. The three hunder per cent, increase in price cannot be attributed to increased cost of the main raw material - clay—because we have it under us in untold millions of tons, nor can it be claimed to increased wages which only represent an increase of about 40 per cent. The only reason which suggests itself to me is the absorption of all the makers into one combine. Whether there are other reasons I cannot say, but I certainly believe that in this time of stress when every acre of land requiring it should be drained, all possible hindrances should be swept away. The present extravagant cost of tiles makes drainage prohibitive to the debt-ridden farmer. This question also has its humorous side, because one of the leading tile makers is wooing the electors in Clutha and accusing present day politicians of past extravagances. While I cannot offer any apologies for extravagances I would point out they were merely the medium through which all material supplies and labour were passed. Combines, Trades Unions and even makers of bricks, pipes and tiles all levied toll in no uncertain way and I miss my guess if the said tile maker was not well in the front rank. I should like to ask him for a comparison of his 1914 and present day rates to the Public Works Department. Enough of this. I am no politician, but a hard-working farmer who subscribes his fee to Mr A. L. Adamson and his Farmers’ Union. I demand the executive consider this matter at once, and if necessary I am prepared to buy 50 shares in a genuine farmers’ company, but no trade fixing of prices, please.—l am, etc., SWAMP JACK.