LIGHTEN THE FARMERS' BURDEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 7 January 1931, Page 8

LIGHTEN THE FARMERS' BURDEN

(To tiie Editor)

Sir.—l have received numerous communications endorsing my letter in the “Mail” of the 16th ultimo, but the lack of united action on the part of Nelson farmers is deplorable. No doubt many of us are too busy trying to work out our own salvation, or feel too depressed to bestir ourselves or too proud to make our difficulties on the land known; whilst others may be waiting for their representatives on the local bodies or the Government to do .something for their relief. Meanwhile farmers in other districts realise that drastic steps, must be taken to enable the man on the land to carry on, and are moving accordingly. Many County Councils and other important New Zealand corporations have already appreciated the position and made substantial retrenchments by cutting out or suspending works and undertakings wherever possible and reducing salaries and wages from the top to the bottom of their staffs. County Councils have also announced considerable concessions re rates for the current year. And wo earnestly hope .and anticipate that the Waimea County Council will “folldw suit” at its meeting on-.<Thursday, as it must be patent to every member of the Council that present circumstances —tho parlous position of the farming industry —show that some such action is imperative. At a recent meeting of farmers m Gisborne (as reported in the “Auckland Weekly News” of 31st December) Mr J. C. Graham showed that at the present “ruling price of wool at £6 a bale, the farmer gave away the whole of his clip from 4500 sheep and 1750 lambs, being 100 bales of wool “in settlement of the costs” as follows: “Shearing 26 bales, wool packs 31, twine, etc. .1, cartage %, selling at Napier 24, County rates 23, harbour rate 6, land tax 9; total costs 100 bales.” The writer can support such statement in so far that the rates:on Stanley Downs amount to £B3 12s 5d this year, absorbing 14 bales of wool: out of a clip of 50 bales and other expenses approximately as stated by Mr Graham. The Nelson Harbour Board’s financial year ends on the 28th of next month, so it behoves every farmer affected to voice his protest against the levying of another iniquitous harbour rate for the ensuing year before it may be too late to obtain' any consideration from that quarter. Hoping that some of those ratepayers who have expressed their- approval and endorsement of my former- appeal will also avail themselves of’ your courtesy, Sir, to publish their views on this vital question of - keeping farmers on their farms in the interest of . the coiln-try.-I am, Q berbyman . Kohatu, 6th January.