FARMERS AND WORKERS.

Wairarapa Age, 16 March 1927, Page 5

FARMERS AND WORKERS.

(To the Editor

Sir, —Your correspondent, “Fair Play,” has chosen an inappropriate non-de-plums. Evidently like the majority of the workers, he thinks the farmers have no occasion to defend themselves against the continual cry for increase in wages, in connection with their industries. He says he notices the majority of them riding about in £5OO motor cars several times a week. With tho exception of those “pioneers” who were fortunate, and procured the land at pre-war values and are entitled to their expensive cars, I venture the opinion that ninety per cent, of the farmers are not in town more than once a week and do not own £5OO cars. I look in wonderment to see the workers in our cities who own cars, solely for pleasure, second-hand cars mostly, the most expensive bit of machinery to run. Their purchases are generally on the timepayment system. Would it enlighten “Fair Play” to know that most of the farmers pay cash for their cars, but where does the money come from!— mostly on overdraft from the banks, where their stock and other assets! are pledged as security. Does “Fair Play” stop to think that the more expensive the car, the more work and material has been put in, in the making of that car, which means that it is the worker who has been paid in cash to make that car! It is he who is employed to repair it. Now it may interest "Fair Play” to know that when I was working on a farm at £2 10s per week and finding myself and family I eould deposit money in the Post Office Savings Bank; new it is a continual worry to reduce the overdraft, pay wages, and interest. Your correspondent implies that £1 15s per week is not sufficient to ctothe oneself, and calls it a “starvation wage”; perhaps if he had to pay for his own food and lodging, it would be, but the farmer provides this, which in town would be equal to £1 10s per week.

The expression about “farmers being the backbone of the country” is undoubtedly true, for oar principal means of subsistence is from the production of farmers—milk, bread, butter, meat, boots, woollen clothing, etc. If the farmers were to stop producing, more than half the population would be unemployed. At the same time the “backbone” is of no use without the other sections who go to complete the job. If it were not for taking up more of your valuable space, I could give your readers some facts to think about. Thanking you.—l am, ete., “FARMER.” Carterton, March 13.