The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17. 1927. THE FARMERS’ POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17. 1927. THE FARMERS’ POLITICS.

Tun tact that the farmers as a united ;,ody through their Dominion organisation, are talking politics and threatening to set an a Country Party to tight

tor their rights, is moving some oi tno Reform papers to offer words ol advice to the Odvti iiineut before it is too

niul ii l;j.scs its reputation as tiio Farmers’ Government. For instance the Oh ris tell urc it Belorm journal says it is for the Government to remove fivm the mind of the South island fanner the feeling that lie is lieing sacrificed to Ihe interests of other people. The Governinent, it is safe to say. does not intend to sacrifice him in this way, and is perhaps likely to he a little puzzled, and even a little pained, hv resolutions like that which it uill receive from the Methven supporters of the party. But good intentions and goodwill are not worth much and must he supported kv good works. Without the hacking of the fanners and of the large body of urban opinion that recognises that the man on tho land cannot bo neglected without damage to everyone, the Government could not remain securely ill office. The Government’s policy ought to lx> consciously based upon the conservation of the farmer’s interests as the vital interests of the Dominion, .olid it is

not surprising other pens are taking up the subject and offering tho fanners as well as the Government advice on the matter. A Southland paper which supports the Government goes on to say that the efforts to make political capital over tho troubles of the farmers are extremely plain, hut) when they take tho form of charges of this kind they .serve a useful purpose in disclosing the influence of party rancour in making men stool) with the hope of conquering. At the present moment the outlook for the New Zealand nroducor is much brighter than it lias been for a considerable time and it is fairly clear that before this year is ended the disappointment and anxiety on which those critics are attempting to play will have waned so much that their efforts will produce no important results. There are ■•lords of cheer somewhat akin to those of the Prime Minister ‘'that the corner has been turned,” hut the mere •statement is not in itself sufficient—some practical evidence is desired to

satisfy the minds of the disturbed and doubting ones. However, if anything tangible is to arrive, and produce a settled state of affairs in farming interests, it must come from a policy which will give equal opportunity to all. Looking hack to the political history of the past, there is the outstanding record of wluit the Lilierals slid to revive and fortify .settlement.

and pave the nay for more production and solid progress. Those who re memI her those days of revival when Now Zealand was lifted out of its period of tension of great difficulty will recall that the effort followed a definite political policy put through in the face of considerable opposition in Parliament, and from the public press. But tho judgment of the people in the selection of its political leaders was sound, and progress carried the day. Why not attempt- to repeat the performance the effort in the face of past experience. is not without hope. With a sensible land policy, cheap money for development purposes, and the application of .scientific methods. New Zealand could surrlv have no difficulty in housing and feeding a population as large as that of Denmark, which in area is about the equal of Canterbury. The Danes numbered in 1925 three millions and a-half. Tt is merely a question of energy and thrift, and. if the nations desire to become prosnerrus. these . qualities must be exercised as thev have never been before. Conditions will change in New Zealand before anything approaching stability rules, and eoiinnr«nis action would gradually prepare the wav for a norm-

lation almost ns large as that of Anstarlia We are far from the world’s

markets but it has already been proved that for what we have to sell there is an almost unlimited demand. Such being the ease let the policy of the country he ill the direction of producing more and more and assist to that end hy a progressive policy with direct aid to the man oil the land who is legitimately doing his best to make a. .success of the task lie has taken fu hand.