FARMERS AND INDUSTRY.

Southland Times, Issue 21656, 18 March 1932, Page 3

FARMERS AND INDUSTRY.

To the Editor. Sir, —There appears to be a section of both town and country people who are, either deliberately or unconsciously, work-

ing up a town versus country feeling. This is a time when all should recognize that, the whole population is being asked to make a sacrifice. Would you allow -me to quote a leading article which appeared in the Christchurch Sun of March 9. —I am, etc. ■' N.Z. The enclosure is: Some good points were made by Mr J Hargest, Government member for Invercargill, in his maiden speech in the House of Representatives yesterday. In the first place, he took a broad view of the questions he discussed, and although there are probably a number of other members feeling as he does, they have not come forward with the same enlightened frankness. His plea for the unemployed as the first consideration of the State is one that should be on all lips, for it is only simple humanity that in the coming, winter none of these most severely taxed victims of the depression should be lacking the necessaries of life for themselves and their families. Much of their help has come in the past year or so from resources outside the Unemployment Fund, and it is obvious enough now that these resources will at least be very much diminished during the next few months,'and a greater responsibility, therefore, will be thrown on the fund created by taxation.

There is no danger that any family will be left in want if it is definitely understood that whatever else the Government plans to do, it must first make complete arrangements for an adequate unemployment policy. Mr Hargest, in mentioning the necessity for assisting the manufacturers of the Dominion, showed appreciation of the fact that there is a close relationship between their welfare and the unemployment problem. Coming from a farmer, this plea carries greater force, although there is no reason why all farmers should not be enthusiastic supporters of the manufacturers. It. should be clear enough to everybody that the manufacturers are suffering as a result of the depression just as all other sections of the community are, and for that reason it is necessary that their welfare should not be ignored by the Government and by the people. A large portion of the unemployed will ultimately be absorbed profitably in the manufacturing industries, but the process of absorption will be slow if the manufacturers do not get the support to which they are entitled. Mr Hargest appreciates that there is no conflict of interest between farmers and manufacturers, and that true national prosperity is dependent upon the welfare of both. Until both are sound economically, unemployment will continue as a problem demanding the fullest attention of the Government.