DAIRY MARKETING SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 July 1920, Page 2

DAIRY MARKETING SCHEME.

To the Editor. Sir,—There Is an old Japanese saying something to this effect: "To-day your friend; to-morrow your enemy." This saying flashed across my mind after reading your splendid report of Uie important meeting held by. the dairymen from all parts of the Island. I remembered at the time of thß last election at Palmerston North when everything was at fever heat, taking up the.News one morning and reading quite a long letter written by one S. Turner (the gentleman who has so ably represented J. J. Lonsdale In New Zealand for a number of years), extolling the very many virtues of the gentleman who has since being elected to tho high position of M.P., advising all true farmers to vote right. After last week's meeting, it would he a bit Interesting to hear Mr. Turner's private opinion of the said gentleman. Putting all jolting aside, I would say right here that I consider the dairy farmers of this ' country are treating the firms who have so ably handled our dairying industry for the last 30 years In a most contemptible manner. I see Mr. Powdrell put the credit of all the progress and business ability on to the shoulders of the farmers, whereas I say emphatically that had it not been for the splendid business representations of the merchant houses who have for so many years given ungrudgingly the best advice and counsel, coupled with the magnificent backing we have always got from the secretaries of our companies, where would we have been? These, I say, are the people to whom the principal credit Is duo, and I consider that blotting them out without a moment's rtftice Is, to sav the least of It, not playing Sie game. I should like to ask any dairy farmer who is so wildly rushing this new scheme, how he would like the same treatment? Say he was for 30 to 40 years working up a fine herd of cattle, and then got up one fine morning, and found the lot swept away through no fault of his own. Yet this is just what you are endeavoring to do to these people, I say straight out that If this scheme Is put through as it stands It will smash more farmers than it will make. It Is all "bosh" to any the banks will find thirty per cent of the advances. Why, the very day before the meeting the banks notified a great curtailment of credit, and it takes a million of money per month to finance our cheese and butter In the flush of the season.. Ask your secretaries about some of the people on the high priced land: . The system of giving ders on tho milk cheques has grown Into a perfect scandal, and If these people don't get absolutely the last farthing advance I guess It won't be only the Tooley Street people who are squeaking.—l am, etc., W. J. Freeth. Pukearuhe, 30th June.