THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FARMERS

Southland Times, Issue 23552, 5 July 1938, Page 4

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FARMERS

To The Editor Sir—ln further reply to “NonUnionist” it seems to me he has failed to give one sensible reason for not being a member of the Farmers’ Union. Indeed, sir, failing a more substantial show of sense on his part I prefer not to use more of your space in further reply. What would the position be if we all adopted his attitude and stood back criticizing; or is he peeved that the majority of his fellow farmers do not subscribe exactly to his conception of how things should be done? Having an abiding faith in Labour, his prejudiced mind thinks the union a political party, but I would point out I have not found the Farmers’ Union anything but impartial in that connection. Its criticism and requests are advanced irrespective of what party is in power. Regarding “Non-Unionist’s” four questions, I cannot say how many dairy farmers there are in Southland, but I learn there are at present 1400 financial members of the Farmers’ Union in Southland. As for the conflict of opinions in the freezing works dispute, to my mind the executive of the Farmers’ Union, by mustering all the facts for and against and deliberating on them, made a national and unprejudiced approach towards the matter. Regarding the calf pool voting muddle, why does your correspondent attempt here, also, to discredit the union? Were not the voting papers available only to directors of factories? I fail to understand why “NonUnionist” or anyone else could be so foolish as to vote Labour in again now that its socialist objective is exposed and admitted. In the final analysis the achievement of that objective would make all but a few at the head, State automatons, with no real say in anything, and would keep them thus, of necessity, by force.—Yours, etc.,

J. GIBSON SMITH. Dacre, July 2, 1938.

To The Editor

Sir,—l see Mr Herron has been appointed organizer for the Farmers’ Union. I think, and dozens of other farmers I know think, that if the heads of the union would keep their tory ideas to themselves and leave party politics out of the union there would be no need to canvass for members. I know of farmers all over Southland who would be pleased to join the union if prominent members would keep their political views to themselves. —Yours, etc., ONCE A MEMBER. July 3, 1938.