THE FARMER BADLY HIT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1905, 13 November 1913, Page 10

THE FARMER BADLY HIT.

(To the' Editor.) • Sir,—ln your evening contemporary of to-day there is -a pathetic articlo under the above heading, showing the effect of the strike upon the small farmer. In this connection it is reported that green peas have been sold in the country at 3d. per sack, and other perishable goods ill like proportion. Tilts small farnior is undoubtedly badly hit, and tho townsman has yet to realise the seriousness of tho situation

The striko atmosphere pervading tho fruit mart to-day is conclusive evidence that tho Red Federation arc still able to terroriso effectively, and before wo can protend to say that the strike is over, we have to niako such a position impossible. With this end in .view, let the authorities invite all respectable able-bodied males, between the ages of eighteen and sixty, who belieye m law

and order, as against inob rule, to join the special constable force, and let them •bo supplied, in addition to tho present badge and baton, with a tin disc, about tho size of a ilorin, having a crown in tho centre, and suitably worded, ami provided with a brooch-pin, to be fixed to the lapel of the coat. When there was any disturbance this could bo fixed in two or three seconds, and if at lea3t 6000 of our able-bodied citizens had this equipment and authority, protection would be afforded to those who aro now terrorised.

I consider it will be a standing disgrace to the citizens of Wellington if they allow tho settlers of this or any other country to suffer owing to their produco being improperly dealt with after wo have received the protection which tho settlers' sons afforded.—l am, etc., SEE THIS THING THROUGH. P.S.—Tho producers of California and the South Sea Islands have no quarrel with us, and it is our duty to protect their interests from tho ravages of the Eed Federation at all costs.