DOMINION'S ONLY HOPE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18637, 5 August 1930, Page 12

DOMINION'S ONLY HOPE.

To the Editor of the “ Timnru Herald." Sir, —I am a very old farmer, in fact, X have been doing that and sundry contracting for over fifty years, and during that period I have, of course, been in very close touch indeed with labour of all sorts, and of late years I have had plenty of opportunity and am greatly interested in observing my town brothers “at work." Put in as few words as possible, my conclusion is (and I am a long way from being alone in this) that nothing that they can take in hand under present conditions, and without substantial protection, can possibly be a financial success. That being so, then, and I am not afraid of contradiction, even from our town friends themselves, it is evident that speaking from an economic standpoint, that the town worker is not contributing, or likely for some time to contribute to the financial prosperity of the country as a whole. As a matter of fact, speaking economically (after studying the statistics) one may say that it would be better if he did not exist. Our only hope is from increased production of dairy products, meat and wool, and this can only be done by encouraging farmers. On the face of it, no duties should be levied on anything that can be termed the farmers’ trade tools. No protection should be given to any local manufacture if that protection is pw.jy t, O hamper the farmer or hinder use of requisites. Quite lately I ; on a visit to a dairying district, -ad I came away full of the idea that of all people the dairy farmer (and his family of helpers) is the most worthy of assistance. And to see the condition of the yards where a lot of these people have to work is quite sufficient to make one realise that what is required at the present time, and much more than concrete roads and footpaths are required for the

comparatively pampered city dweller and the tourist, is cheap cement for the dairy farmer. X think that the Government should buy cement in the world’s cheapest markets and supply them at cost or less so that these people, and especially the women and ( kiddies, who are engaged in this direct 1 national wealth-producing industry j could work on clean concrete instead of mud, and have a chance to keep themselves and their products. so necessary to the national welfare. : spick and span.—l am, etc.. POUND STERLING. I