WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE FARMER?

Shannon News, 1 November 1921, Page 2

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE FARMER?

NO INTEREST IN HIS OWN AFFAIRS “The farmers are the most inarticulate people in New Zealand,” said Mr W. ( G. Adkin at the meeting of' the Levin branch oT the Farmers’ Union on Saturday, when referring to the lack of interest the faimers take in matters •of the first importance to themselves. There were some who 1 never had a word to say. T|he chairman (Mr G. Tully): Not at a meeting; they have plenty to say elsewhere. Mr R., Gilmore opened up another phase of the matter, by saying that the farmers should engage thoroughly competent men to look after the marketing of their produce and other such matters. He contended that the farmers did not , get ail they should out of their produce. ( Mr A. J. Gimblett agreed. The way their produce was blended and faked was disgusting. If the* farmers did not get lull value it was their own fault, as they should have live men to watch their produce till it was marketed. “It is about time we knew something about what is being done,” said the speaker. Mr Shanks contended that the men who bought the produce did what they liked before putting it on the market. Mr H. Morienson: When the bulls and the bears get it, that’s the end of it-. I Mr Adkin: The farmers should each put in £5, or more if necessary to engage half a dozen men to look after their affairs, particularly in regard to marketing, which was the most important thing. / The chairman: You can't get farmers to give £5. (Laughter.) The farmer as a rule took little Interest in his own affairs,; the chairman said. A . little time back the chairman said he tried to interest a farmer in the County Council election, and urged him to he sure and record his vote. The farmer replied: “I can get my milk to the factory, so what do I want to vote for.” (Laughter.) . The matter was not pursued any further, and was allowed to drop.