FARMERS' PROBLEMS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 237, 17 May 1928, Page 3

FARMERS' PROBLEMS.

DIFFICULTY IN SOLVING. Lack of Unanimity. That the question of solving farmers’ problems and of assisting the i-ural community was made more difficult by the fact that the farmers were by no means unanimous was a matter discussed by Mr. Stewart Reid, M.P. for Waikato, at a meeting of the Morrinsville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union on Saturday.

“ If the farmers were to reach unanimity on any given question and petitioned Parliament we would know what to do,” said Mr. Reid. “At tha. present time a matter might he sponsored by some farmers and condemned by others. What is the Government to do ? All that can be done is to learn all that is possible and then use one’s own judgment.” The speaker cited as an instance of the disunity of view the Arbitration Amendment Bill as affecting dairy factory employees. The southern interests were opposed to the measure, whereas Mr! Stirling expressed himself as strongly favouring the award. As a result of this the northern fanner members had secured a postponement of the legislation for nine months to enable them to secure more information.

A similar state of affairs existed with regard to the pig subsidy of £30,000 which the Government had granted for three years. This measure had been made law solely as it was thought to be of great assistance to the farmers, and yet at a Farmers’ Union meeting at Cambridge the Government’s action had been criticised.

If the farmers came as a body with a question, and it was seen that all were behind it, the Government could be assured that it was all right and would no doubt carry it into effect if practically possible. The - electors should realise the difficulties that confronted the Prime Minister and be patient. In his own party the city man was watching the farmer to see that he did not score a point, and the farmer was keeping a suspicious eye on the city man. Then the South Island members were jealous of the North Island representatives. This position was brought about by the fact that whereas formerly the South Island led the Dominion the position was now reversed, population and production in the North being greatly in excess. When Southern members saw two or three times more money spent in the North than in the South they became suspicious that they were being “ had.”