THE FARMER AND THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1917, Page 7

THE FARMER AND THE WAR.

To the Editor. Sir, —Tour correspondent, Pater, I notice, docs not credit the farmer with making any sacrifices whatever in tins present war, either in lives or money. The farmers hav> sent ■ most of their eligible sons to „ho front. Evidently Pater has never had any practical experience on a handicapped dairy farm. It would be interesting to know how onr grandmothers could manage new to make all the gutter and cheese New Zealand produces. Yes, let's haul all the boys off the farms, They are the ones to fight. The farmers are havim? a royal time, Let's squash them with all our migtt. 'Tis said they are making piles of money Out of their country's need, Why should they keep their one last boy To swell the fanner's greed? They have only cows to milk, Vet say their work is never dene; Anyone can plough, sow, and reap, Feed cows, pig?, calve*, etc., 'tis fun. What is our one half-holiday, And our hard-earned weekly wage, Compared to their monthly factory cheque, And their gossiping market days? They do not feel the higher price Of cdtoimodities, nob a few— The income, tax, the cheese tax, That's, nothing, they cau subscribe, too. Let the old people manage, m matter how hard the work; Take every son right away, Ajid leave 110 room to shirk. So haul off all able hands, Xo matter what the position. We will do with less butter and cheese — Wei!, they can ivy exemption. But methinks I hear n croaking voice Say, We have sent of our best to fight, Cannot we keep our one last help, Must he, go to fight? Onr soldier boys must be fed, How, then, are we to do? Why, sell off the cows, 'tis easy said; They may wake up, when 'tis too late To reason—l have read. 1 am, etc., MATE!!.