CORRESPONDENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1930, Page 12

CORRESPONDENCE

LOCAL PATRIOTISM. (To The Editor.) Sir. —In travelling round amongst the farmers in Taranaki I was surprised to find how disloyal a large number of them are to local business institutions, which have in many cases assisted in starting them ou their farms and supplied them with stock, seed and manures, as well as machinery, so that they had an opportunity to make good. Many of them totally forget this assistance and have little concern regarding the well-being of the local firms, and in a great many cases support any outsiders who come along, offering them ■goods not any better or cheaper than those of the local institutions, which have loyally supported them years ago. Auctioneers or other firms trading in the district are using millions of money to carry on stock and other trading lines in Taranaki. It is surely up to the local farmers who are amongst us during good and bad times, to endeavour to - distribute their orders amongst them. 1 am speaking of seasonal requirements, such as slag, super, potash, grass seed. For no special advantage they support firms from Auckland, Wellington, etc., when the Taranaki institutions are anxious to get the business in order to reduce overhead. Besides it is up to the local farmers to support local industry in all Tines such as grocery, drapery, etc. Local firms have to pay a considerable amount in wages, rent, etc;, all the year round, and they deserve the support of the community. Quite a number of farmers who are now in a sound financial positions go outside even to buy their drapery and other requirements, all of which is very detricntal to the district. —I am, etc., LOCAL SUPPORTER.