PUBLIC OPINION.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18067, 9 July 1930, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION.

As expressed by correspondents, whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents must write in ink. BUTTER-FAT PRODUCTION. (To the Editor.) Sir, —A member of the party of English farmers who recently visited New Zealand (Mr Glossop) has on his return contributed an article to the Yorkshire Post anent his visit to us. Inter alia, Mr Glossop says: “The possibility of over-production of dairy produce in New Zealand must not be overlooked”; and he adds: “This is probably 'the point which should eni gage more attention than any other problem in the Dominion.” Let every farmer ponder these statements. At tiie moment every farmer and dairy company is vicing one with the other to increase production, and no one dares to follow the policy to its logical conclusion. Where are we going to dispose of our enormous quantities of butter and cheese? America, Canada, Germany, and even Australia, have shut us out by high tariff barriers. Only England is left to us, and every dairy company in the world is using England as a dumping ground for their surplus produce. Only had seasons in Europe and Australia will give us a chance on the English market, and that can only happen occasionally. The dairy farmer has numerous authorities that speak for him, yet not one will face this great question. Certainly they hint at it, and Mr Goodfellow says the only remedy is to buy British goods. If our wrangling politicians would concentrate on this problem, and help us in getting shipping to the Far East, or endeavour to bring about a reciprocal trade treaty with England, they would win our confidence and largely settle a lot of the Dominion’s troubles. We must not run away with the idea that, we can squash foreign producers of dairy produce. This can never be while England remains a free trade country. Neither can we hope to compete with margarine. New markets take years to establish, and at this juncture every farmer should weigh the pros and cops before increasing his herd more" than he needs to pay his way. While the duty on stock foods exists, coupled with low prices for butterfat, it will pay the farmer to use a percentage of new milk for halves and pigs. I have pointed this out before, but such action needs to be concerted in order to reduce the quantity for export. Large farmers might profitably divert some of their land to raising fat lambs. I am convinced that the biggest factor in low prices is over-production.—l am, etc., W. P, KENAH. Ilautapu, July 7. 1930. TALKIES AND STAGE. (To the Editor.) Sir, —For months theatrical producers and certain newspaper writers have been telling us that the stage is coming back and that the talkie boom is ended. My opinion is that these writers and others have grossly overstated the case, and have created an artificial faith in the legitimate theatre out of all proportion to the facts. For instance, we arc told that the tour of Wilhelm Backhaus means that people are fed up with talkies and want “real music” once again. To my mind this is entirely misleading. The patrons of Backhaus will always be static in numbers. They have neither increased nor diminished since the talkies came, and it is ridiculous .to suggest that those who have been enjoying “crook dramas” and musical comedy shows on the talkies are now flocking en masse to hear Backhaus. It is misleading to tell us the number of plays running in London and Sydney. London can always stand half a dozen stage shows or more, talkies or no talkies. In New South Wales the population is concentrated in the cities and is out of all proportion to those in the. provinces. The position in New Zealand is vastly different. In conclusion, I think too much has been taken for granted. Time enough to talk about the stage coming back when it has come back, or when there is definite evidence of it.—l am, etc., MODERATE. Hamilton, July 8.