FARMERS' OBLIGATIONS TO THE COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1917, Page 6

FARMERS' OBLIGATIONS TO THE COUNTRY.

To the Editor. Sir,—ln your leader of the 21st inst. your attitude on one matter appears to be that of one who, after carefully setting up a man of straw, straightway proceeds to just as carefully knock him down; because, if you will again turn to ray letter, you will find that I made no charge whatever the 'Press in respect of farmers' responsibilities in connection with military servite, and I heartily agree with yon " that so far they have discharged them in a way that leaves no room for criticism," ana I only hope that, notwithstanding certain indications and portents, they will continue to do so. Briefly, my complaint against the press was that, whilst it consistently pointed out an exceedingly lofty ideal of loyalty and patriotism to our boys, it just as consistently neglected even passing any reference to the grave dereliction of duty on the part of these farmers and others who evaded or attempted to evade their financial obligations to their country. Your declaration that these men are really greater shirkers than those who attempted to escape military service wouio. have been of greater value if it had been made twelve months ago, as it would probably have had the effect of stiffening moral character of those who aofiged the tax because their neighbor did. In reference $o the admitted anomalies and inequalities in the working of the Finance Act, I suggest that it might be remedied to a very great extent by a very simple process—gazetting the assessments—and, sir, I venture to say that if this were done some loudr mouthed patriots would hang their heads with very shame. With the greater part of your leader, I entirely concur, but it is somewhat suggestive that out of the very large meeting that passed the resolution of protest at Inglewood not a single one has so far ventured to refute my contentions, or reply to my strictures. I am, etc., JAS. HINE Jr. Tikorangi, March 21. P.S. —Since writing the above, I have read Mr. Dfggins' letter, and hasten to assure him that the duty which he implores me to fulfil, even at the eleventh hour, was duly executed last year, when in company with other dairy company officers, I complied with the demand of Mr Commissioner of Taj.'es, in respect of supplying hirfi with the required information. Mr Diggins also falls into the fatal error of assuming that all farmers necessarily derive the whole, or even part, of their incomes from the dairy companies, which, of course, is absurd. He should at least be sure of his facts before he poses as the apostle of common sense.