RURAL POVERTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1927, Page 11

RURAL POVERTY.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —"Old Farmer’’ and a Mr. Cock, whom you quote, are a fair sample of that one-eyed dogmatic section or the public who, because they have dodged contact with poverty, declare it is nonexistent. I did not see the letter about turnips and sacks, which is alluded to, but I do know of farmers, as well as others, who for many winters have used sacks for bed coverings; their mattresses were made sometimes of nice clean . sacks filled with hay or straw, or in seme eases of odd pieces of cloth, sewn together, and filled with feathers. The pillow cases were often merely neatly sewn flourbags. But these people do not . complain. They live simply, on the products of their farms mostly, and in the main are a jolly crowd in spite of worries in the form of rent, or interest, weeds or from winter feed and sick cat- I tie. (Of course, we know our wise men I never have these troubles.) Mr. Cock I infers that people do not take the hard j knocks now so uncomplainingly as thev i did in his time. Quite evidently he is | now out of touch with the poorer section of the community. As long as life 1 lasts human beings will be human, and i there will always be an odd few to ! make the welkin ring with their eomflainings, but mark you, it is not from ! he poor the loudest squealings come. Bet a tenant get behind with his rent through even the direst misfortune, then • gee what happehs. I have known one or two landlords, themselves in poor circumstances, to lower their tenants’ tent, but as a rule, the well-to-do owner exacts the uttermost penny. As for times being harder 30 or 40 years ago, of course such may have been the case individually with the people quoted, but taking the cost of living, competition, and other things into consideration, 1 think most will agree that life was in those days, generally speaking, much easier and s'npler. I was one of the farming community myself 30 years a<-o so know my subject. I have heard the tales of want and hardship discredited many timet, but I can assure readers there’s truth in most of the eases cited I know a family of five, formerly rich farmers, now indigent who through this winter have suffered keenly. The boys, well educated, able and willing to work at almost any trade or office work, sought in vain for steady employ.ment, earning only a small sum per week by casual labour. Used to plenty, this family now jived on home Town vegetables, with occasionally Is worth of flour, a few groceries, one pint of milk per day, about Is 6d to 2s Cd ..orth of • meat per week, and Jib. of buttei when they could afford that luxury. They did not apply for relief, because they felt they were well off compared with others, •whom, indeed, they helped a little. Scores of families fared worse for they had sickness also, and little is heard of half the poverty' which is quietly endured. •Mr. Lock airit “OtJ Farmer” are concern jed' for the credit of New Zealand. They

needn’t worry. These little tales will do no barm. That hag already been done by the immigrants who hoped for work and wages, and have been disappointed. In conclusion I refer "Old Farmer” and his ilk to the a<l ge, “There are none so blind as those 'who do not wish to see.”—l am; etc., . ” ANOTHER OLD FARMER.