PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13489, 21 May 1917, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents, wuoso letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. THE BUTTER-FAT TAX. (To the Editor.) Sir, —No doubt most of your readers are tired of hearing about the butter tax, but the maniiesto issued by the Te Awamutu daily fanners seems to call for some comment. The facts, far as I know, are as follows: Owing to the war, butter has been bringing very lrgli prices, and dairy farmers have been doing extremely well. The Government, recognising that many people were being hard hit by the high prices, decided to limit the local price of butter, as they had already dono wiili meat by a different process. The price fixed was Is 5d per lb, which is much above the pre-war price, and the main portion of the output could be sold m the world's markets for still higher prices.

Now let us take the case mentioned in the manifesto. The present price of 1 mtter may be reckoned at 3d per lb above pre-war prices (it is probably more); 10,0001b fat at 3d—£l2s less £3l 5s amount of levy, gives £93 15s excess profit for the 50 cows—not such a bad result after all. Have the dairy fairmers ever considered that every pound of meat (with the exception of pork) that they have bought during the last two years, has been purchased at several pence below market value, owing to the Government taking over all meat at prices a long way below export values ? Yet I do not remember ever hearing the faintest murmur of disapproval from the dairy farmers, nor yet (to their credit be it said) from the meat farmers. They recognised that it wns done in the interests of the Empire, and that the prices were fair, notwithstanding the fact that they weie much below home values. At present we are threatened with a serious shortage of shipping, and there is a great risk that our produce will be left on our hands. In that case we would have something to grumble about, but there is no sense in crying out about trifles. Owing to the great demand for farm produce, created by the war, farmers have been doing uncommonly well. It is not very pleasant to think that we have been making money out of other people's misfortunes, but there it is; so let us take the good things the gods have given us; but, for goodness sake, do not let us grudge a little relief to our less fortunate neighbours, who are getting no share of the war profits.— 1 am, etc., R. JOHNSTONE. Morrinsville, 17th May, 1917. WAR AND THE LIQUOR TRADE. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l was surprised to sec it stated by a correspondent in your issue of the 17th inst. that during the coal shortage the railways were carrying beer and refusing important goods. Seeing that Sir James Allen has denied it, can the writer give his authority for such a statement.—l am, etc., AGNOSTIC. (The following is a copy of the orders issued to stationmasters, above the signature of .\. Duncan, District Traffic Manager: "Referring to Train Advice No. 425, of 18th April, 1917: The following goods may be accepted for carriage by rail: Seeds, beer." Then follows a list of other ,icles which could be carried with : frictions. In the face of the foreg'' g there can be no question that oi.r correspondent "Win the War" was correct in his facts -Ed. W.T\).