EXPLOITING THE FARMER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 166, 8 April 1919, Page 8

EXPLOITING THE FARMER

Sir,—lf we farmers are not .being exploited, then I should like to know vho is. For the four years of the war we j agreed to our wool being commandeered for patriotic purposes. Now that the war is over the wool is still sold under restrictions whicfi last for another year, and the New Zealand farmer is debarred from competing in the world's markets, whereas the American and British farm- i ers arc reaping all the benefits. Then again, take shipping. Winter is almost on us, the freezing stores are f.Il full, we have had a dry seasoi), more particularly in the South Island, and instead of getting away stock it is , left on th 3 farmers' hands, which means a loss to the country and incidentally to everyone. Wo seem to have Ministers galore; what are they doing that they cannot arrange for ships to come here? It is no use saying "ships are noeded for troops." How did Australia get the ships? Her cold stores have been practically emptied. I say it is most unfair. Look at the otherside of the picture. Tho farmers are paying enormous prices for everything, fencing wire, manure, grass Feed" wool bales, and wages have almost doubled, not to speak of extra land taxes, and still restrictions meet us on every hand. The high wages will only last_ as lonq as the land is paying, and producing to its utmost capacity. England is overburdened with debt, and it surely behoves overyone to help to make the primary production of tho country pay. It is a narrow-minded policy to look at the. results as only benefiting the farmers. When the produce passes out of tho latter's hands it employs hundreds one way and another, besides being the pivot upon which the success or failure of New Zealand depends.—l am, etc.,