MRS STEWART’S ADDRESS

Southland Times, Issue 23460, 17 March 1938, Page 7

MRS STEWART’S ADDRESS

To The Editor Sir,—Will you please grant me space to endeavour to correct the statements of “Mother” in The Southland Times today. First, she denies that costs have risen. Let me draw her attention to just a few items. Fencing wire and galvanized iron are up 25 per cent., fencing posts 15 per cent., timber, paints, nails, staples, etc., 17 per cent., farm tools and implements 30 per cent., and so on. Even the main staff of food, bread, has gone up 20 per cent, in the last two years. This statement can be proved, as “Mother” must surely know. The 41b loaf which was 9d cash is now lid and 1/- and even 1/1 in the country. Next, her statement that in 1930 her 16 and 17-year-old boys were getting £2 12/6 on farms is absolute fabrication, as capable, experienced men working six-horse teams and with a full knowledge of all farm implements were getting only £2 10/-.—Yours, etc., FARMER. March 16, 1938. To The Editor Sir, —S. Hadfield’s letter in The Southland Times today amused me very much, in view of the fact that he has not read “Politically Minded Woman’s 1 ’ letters with as much attention as he would have us believe. If he had done so, he would not have failed to see that all through “Politically Minded Woman’s” letters runs the conviction that to the Labour Party we may tender thanks for every present benefit, including “low” taxation. (Since my first letter I have read Professor Tocker’s article.) Surely your correspondent cannot always nave followed party politics with such zeal? If so, he would surely have known that the Labour Party made many promises to remove the sales tax, and, once in power, failed to do so. I might mention that I am not “an obvious National Party supporter,” but one who likes to give credit where it is due, and can find nothing creditable in promises loudly broadcast and quickly broken. In conclusion, I would like to say that I am, contrary to Mr Hadfield’s assumption, a woman; but NOT AN IGNORAMUS. March 15. 193&,