MR BARNES AND THE DAIRY FARMERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20850, 5 October 1937, Page 9

MR BARNES AND THE DAIRY FARMERS

To the Editor or. “The Timaru Herald" Sir,—Dqring the course ;6f his speech bn. the address in reply debate,’ Mr J. Thorn, M.P., quoted from a statement' made by Mr W. H. Staniland of Clandeboye: later on in the same debate I quoted another part of Mr Staniland’s statement and at the same time I invited the Hon. Member for Temuka to follow me in the debate and protect his constituent and (as it was proved later) I was successful in inducing the Member for Temuka to speak. , My attention was afterwards drawn to a sub-leader in your issue of September 18, 1937, in which you considered that I owed the Member for Temuka an apology. In view of the attitude you took on that occasion I feel sure you will print the enclosed copy of a letter sent by Mr Staniland to Mr J. Thorn, M.P., and tender an apology to me.—l am, etc. DAVID BARNES. Wellington, September 29. (Enclosure) Copy Of Letter Clandeboye, Temuka. September 17, 1937. Mr Jas. Thorne, M.P., Wellington. Dear Sir,

I have been listening-in with a great deal of interest to the debate on the Address-in-Reply. I heard an opinion of mine (which was asked for by the local representative of the “Press”) quoted by yourself, and also this afternoon by Col. Hargest mentioned the same matter and said Mr T. D. Burnett would give the House some particulars of the opinion in this district. At the outset I will say that I have never been a Labour supporter and in fact have been chairman of the local Reform and Coalition Party committee. My qualifications for giving a common-sense opinloif on your Government’s marketing and price policy, which as you know I consider a great improvement on past conditions, are: —I was last week reelected unopposed a director of the Clandeboye Co-op. Dairy Co. for the 17th year, and chairman of the company for 16 successive years, a record which not many in the industry can beat. My company is the largest cheese exporting factory in Canterbury, and this past' year has paid suppliers 1/3 lb. butterfat. I am a working dairyfarmer, milking 50 cows. I, like a lot more, was given a good set-back by the slump years. I have been for eight years chairman of the South Canterbury Bobby Calf Committee, who are composed of the chairmen of the four cheese factories in the Temuka district who handle the calves on behalf of the dairy farmers of the district, and we have last year and this year paid out the highest price in New Zealand—l think, for calves this year 12/2. I have been a member of the executive of the South Canterbury Farmers Uhion for a number of years, chairman of a Herdtesting Association, and chairman of District Committee of New Zealand Pig Marketing Association. Enough about my qualifications, except that perhaps I might mention that I was at Christchurch Boys’ High School during your time and I am also a South African veteran like yourself. You will most likely hear during the debate that a meeting of dairy farmers was held in Temuka protesting against the price and policy of marketing. That meeting was called supposedly by the South island Dairy Asosciation, but in fact the ‘‘Compensating Price” people were behind it. The principal protest was voiced by a paid officer of the Association, and nothing but costs was put forward. The Chairman of the Farmers’ Union who spoke, milks two cows. Another Speaker belonging to this district, who is a director of a local cheese factory, does not milk a cow. At least 50 per cent, of those present were Farmers' Union members who are not dairy-farmers. Of the genuine dairy farmer I would say the majority were pleased with the present prices after the last few years’ experience. Mr Burnett will no doubt if he speaks quote this meeting. To-day I was at the South Canterbury Farmers’ Union in Temuka, when guaranteed prices came up for discussion. Out of an executive of about 30 members there are only three dairy farmers. The usual protest was carried, but how much is it worth coming from sheep-farmers and wheat-growers? I have not known this executive to take any interest at all in dairy farmers’ affairs for the past 10 years up till this juncture. I will definitely say that the expressions of protest at these two meetings was not a true opinion of the working dairy farmer. Not in my experience of 17 years have I seen so much liming and top-dressing done in this district and so many improvements to milking plants and yards as have been done this season. I should think a fair indication of more spending power. Trusting my disjointed remarks may be of some use to you.—l remain, yours faithfully. (Sgd.) W. H. Staniland. [Editorial reference to this letter is made in this issue.—Editor of “The Timaru Herald.”]