THE WOOL QUESTION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 229, 22 June 1921, Page 2

THE WOOL QUESTION

Sir,—Your columns are being filled with letters on the wool question, and kindred subjects. May I add my quota to the confusion arising therefrom. Because wo have suddenly lost our high market for New Zealand products, a necessary result of bungling by Government interference, and the late war conditions. We are all wying out for more Government interference. What has happened to the New Zealand farmers and inhabitants; have they entirely lost their strength and power to rely on themselves? I have seen this weakness growing these last 30 years. Prior to 1890, if we wanted anything, from a road to a shipping company, we clubbed together mid got it. But since then the tendency has grown for us to ask for the Government to give it to us, 'lTie Farmers Union started as a body to make known and demand our rights, but. it has gtown into a body which cries for .help, and demands power, to compel the dissenting farmer to do as the union thinks, and be taxed especially for that purpose. It seems to me that we, or rather tho Farmers’ Union, our so-called and selfconstituted representatives (who do not, I believe, represent a quarter of us) are following the example of the labour unions, who first united voluntarily, and then not. getting all the power that they wanted, got Government help by preference to unionists and compulsory unionism to enhance their power. The motorists began it by begging for special taxation without any guarantee that more than a few motorists would benefit by the expenditure of such taxes. 'Then the Producers’ Committee ask for power io control the wool market and take over the sale of any wool not sold by ths owner by a certain date; and to draw us into'paying our share of some .£30,000 a year in salaries for men to manage our wool sales,one at least of whoip seems to have been the chief cause of the present And the latest I seo is a scheme for a large concern to market all our products, including the ship ment of them, io be financed by special taxes. I personally object to special taxes; I find it quite enough to pa> the regular taxes required for tho proper government of the country. I alstf object to anybody ordering me about in reference to the marketing of my wool, meat, or other produce. The less interference we have from the Government, or anyone else, the better. No Govefoment lias ever interfered with trade successfully/ It is not their business, and they are not chosen for their capacity as traders. If the wool-brokers continue to put up to auction only as much of the wool as they estimate that the market can take, and strongly advise farmers to keep to reasonable reserves, all will be done that could bo done by the B.A.W.R.A. or any other similar body, and without spending ,i year on a manager, nnd the wool will be sold at fair rates as quickly as trade will warrant.—l am, etc., ERIC WHTTCOMRE. Eketahuna.