AID TO FARMERS.

Southland Times, Issue 22730, 5 November 1935, Page 4

AID TO FARMERS.

To the Editor.

Sir,— According to statements made from time to time by Ministers of the Crown, the primary producers have been assisted by the Government to the extent of £14,383,000 per annum, taking into consideration the exchange, subsidies and Unemployment Board grants. I suggest that some of our farmer supporters of the Government work out the following simple sum. There are 73,423 primary producers on areas of 10 acres and upwards in this country. Divide the amount stated by the Government and the number of farmers and we get a bonus of £196 per year. Does anyone outside a lunatic asylum believe that the farmers have been assisted either directly or indirectly by a bonus of £193 per year each? That is £l6 16/8 per month. We have heard something about 25 dollars a month national dividend in Alberta, but this bonus, which has been claimed as given to the farmers of New Zealand but not given to them at all, amounts to 65 dollars to every farmer who is holding over 10 acres of land. Is it no wonder that farmers all over the country are supporting the Labour Party when the facts are laid before them and Ministerial statements are “blown out” so easily?—l am, etc. P. MARCHANT. [Will Mr Marchant prove the statement to be inaccurate. —Ed. S.T.]