IMPORTANCE OF FARMER

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 65, Issue 5547, 9 November 1942, Page 3

IMPORTANCE OF FARMER

Sir, —To answer fully New Zealand’s nine-point questionaire would re quire a pamphlet. To his first question I may ask in turn: how would the farmer produce without the aid of the other workers ? second, New Zealand’s mineral resources are so scant that primary products must remain our mainstay; third, production costs would be lowered by more extensive use of machinery. Mowing and milking machines are examples of machinery lowering farming costs; fourth, see answer to second; fifth; more machinery and double the numbers of workers on farms should help to eliminate long hours. Work one morning and afternoon shift regarding milking; sixth, farmers are working under an award of approximately Is 3d per lb. butterfat. The sheepman also works under a guaranteed price (guaranteed not to go up); seventh, neither is more important. Can your correspondent not grasp the fact that modern civilisation makes us all interdependent? Where would the New Zealand farmer be without the railwayman, truck-driver or sailor? The engineers and mechanics who make and maintain their machines are just as important; eighth, the contract system has many disadvantages and equally many advantages. Here is the truth in the old proverb: “More haste, less speed.” The ninth I will dodge- I have no wish to become involved in a religious discussion or one concerning evolution. I said in my first letter that we need a new system of education. The first lesson it must teach is that only by co-operation can civilisation exist—that no trade is more or less important than any other. The loafer, whether he be rich or poor, must be made to work—no work, no food. Just a little personal history for the benefit of New Zealand: I am a farmer with both cows and sheep. I am the only man on the farm. I was recently away for over four months, when the farm looked after itself. New Zealand cannot tell me much more than I know about long hours, hard work and the slavery of present-day farming. As any other farmer must be, I am an optimist and keep hoping that conditions will change.—l am, etc., JONATHAN.