CORRESPONDENCE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 February 1913, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(Our correspondents' opinions are their own; the responsibility of tho editorial ones makes sufficient ballast for tho Editor's shoulders.) A WOMAN'S LETTER. (To the Editor ) Sir,- There is a good old-fashioned name- the word "woman"'—that is going quite out of popularity. Why is this eo? AVoman was good enough for our grandmothers, and they were hotter than ivo or our daughter are. Flattery and cajolery are at the root of the present practice ot calling everybody "lady." And then there is "gent." As for that horrid contraction. 1 can only way that the man who calls his brother a cent, ought to bo called one himself. Can't you set the example. Mr Editor, and refer to us as women, and our husbands ns men? I enclose my card, but sign myself PROUD TO BE A WO3UN. EXHIBITING GOVERNMENT STOCK. (To the Editor). Sir,—Mr Winter's letter in tonight's Chronicle re Government stock exhibiting at the A. and J' Shows opens up a question of interest to farmers. Undoubtedly Mr Winter expresses the viewpoint of the majority of such exhibitors, ii ■lot of show spectators, and 1 understand that efforts are to be made to have such stock barred from competition. This 1 consider would be ;> distinctly retrograde stop, and one ;>pposed to the best interests of the fanning community. Mr Winter advances two main ar giimeuts in support of his views: ■- I'iiist ■ That these farms (Porir.n Mental Hospital and the Hoys' Trailing Farm) have the public purse at their command, and do not have '." consider expense in the purchase "i pedigree stock. This contention is, i believe, based on a confusion of the functions of these farms with the State Experimental farms. fho bitter nre. quite justified in procuring the very best specimens of a breed alnwt regardless of expense. but do not as »i rule exhibit in competition. The former are. on tho other hand, run as profit-making farms, and if they keep the best of stock it- is because they find it pays them to do so. The pig farmers of New Zealand owe some of the managers of these institutions (especially Dr. Uassell, of Porirua) a great debt, in that they have demonstrated the advantage of purebred over scrub stock, and incidentally maintained a first class source from which farmers could procure reliable breeding animals. Tn order to bring three facts home to the public it i* necessary that they should exhibit at the various A. and P. Shcnvs, and since they have to pay their way. they would only do so if allowed to compete against all comers. That a private breeder could not afford to procure animals of the same standard is, in my opinion, a fallacy, ■since in cattle, sheep, and liorccs. breeders are now-n-days sticking at no question of price if tho animal is right: only the poor, neglected pig •—that offensive, necessary swill-tub for the reception of rancid skim—has not come into his own.

Mr Winter's second argumentthat these farms have a constant and cheap lahour supply to take enre of their pigs, whereas the average farmer certainly has not—is more valid, hut 1 consider it is largely offset by the fact that a breeder who personally looks after, and has a real affection for his stock, can g<4, results far surpassing those of hired labour, however plentiful. Enough for this letter, but F shall ')e glad to discuss the suh.ject further if Mr Winter or other corrcsnondentfi .advance fresh argument*;. Mr Winter concludes his letter with the suggestion that the Chamber of Commerce (!) or Farmers' Union take up the matter. Wiry have we not a "Farmers' Orange" meeting monthly, where such subjects could lie properly threshed out?— Yours, etc., J. C. NFJLL. Weraroa. February 21, 1913. THE, BOYS' TRAINING FARM. (To the Editor.) .Sir.--Having a little time to spare 1 wended my way Lo the farm to see what improvements were effected during my absence of a year or two. My goodness. I was surprised to find tho great part of it in the same condition as it was ten years ago. Tho only visible improvement is what time and the elements have effected—viz..the decay of all .small timber. The heavy timber still -emains as when it was felled. It 's a great shamo to see some of the richest land in the country in such a neglected state. Every acre of tho land should have heen brought under cultivation years ago, and the Government should see to this being done. Not less than £2000 a year would be the additional earning value. The 400 acres are worth £50 per acre. Charge tho interest on C 20.000 at five per cent,, and allow for three or four farm hands and working expenses (in all £1,000). 1 have no idea what the receipts are from the farm. \ o doubt these are Parliament questions that will be asked when Parliament meets again.

Mr Massoy, who is a practical farmer, rliouW inspect the whole of the farm for himself; he has no neod to take Sandy's Avord for anything; .soeino; is "believing. We could make allowance for Sir Joseph Ward in regard to farming matters, but no so with Mr Massey. If a 6nt this nneds attention. I ask ifi the farm filling the purpose for

firo were to start in the timber and get out of control, the plantations would be destroyed, and no doubt a great deal of damage would bo done to tho settlers adjoining. As it is. it is a standing menace to them. A lot of useless inaeroearpns in re alloivo<l to smother valuable trees, such as walnuts. Perhaps the manager has his timo taken up too much with the affairs round the buildings, which it -was set aside—on a practical financial basis—or is it only p. liflhby horse to develop some newfangled ideas of sonic of the heads of the Education Department? Here i.s a golden opportunity awaiting Mr Mnsspy. io put into force one of hii< reform measures, and for showing the genuineness of his platform speeches to the public in gen oral.- T am, etc.. SANDY MacMASTEHS.