OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1939, Page 9

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

FARMERS & THEIR TROUBLES (To the Editor.) Sir, —After reading the report of the recent farmers’ meeting, I think all the speakers missed the bus. After all whether we have a Meat Board or a Marketing Board or Government to run our business, none of them can work miracles. Considering the international situation today, I think we are lucky things are no worse. The Meat Board might have made mistakes, but it is far better to have the devil you know than the devil you don't. Who is this Mr Daniell that has been talking so much? Is he by any chance the same Mr Daniell who some years ago, when cattle were not selling too well, advised his fellow-farmers to cut out cattle, as they would never be any good? Farmers look after your farms and I think you can depend on the Meat Board and the freezing companies to do their part. After all, every man to his trade. Without wishing to prophesy, 1 think the sun will shill shine. So cheer up. —I am, etc., “JUST A WORKING FARMER.” Masterton, June 30. THE PRICE OF MILK (To the Editor.) Sir, —In answer to “Milk-Shake” who has been complaining of the price of milk:—My husband, a milkman, rises at 3.30 a.m. on seven days per week and works not less than ten hours per day, usually more, a minimum of seventy hours per week, in all weathers. Surely he cannot be expected to work at the rate paid to one who works only a forty-hour week? “Milk-Shake” can take it from me that the farmer is sharing in the rise in price and though Strawberry doesn’t know anything about the rise in price, nor the cost of the mash, molasses and hay fed to her to increase the milk supply, surely man, with a full complement of brains, should understand. Also the small boy employed on our round is bigger than my husband and gets his rise regularly. In answer to "Milk-Shake’s" sug-' gested methods of reducing costs: — (1) “Zoning system.” —A little over a year ago “The Wairarapa Age” and “The Wairarapa Daily Times” combined and became "The Wairarapa TimesAge,” thereby doing away with competition and double delivery. A few weeks ago the price of the “TimesAge” was raised 25 per cent. (2) "By using their association to determine the price paid to the farmers and to pay no more.” —No power on earth can force a dairy farmer to milk for the town supply and were the milkmen to attempt such action, the result, for the consumer as well as the vendor, can be well imagined. (3) “Token system.” —This is used by the city supply in Wellington where the price is 7d per quart: Doesn’t seem to save much, does it? —I am, etc., MILKMAN’S WIFE. Masterton, June 30. Our correspondent’s reference to the “Times-Age” and its predecessors is irrelevant and inaccurate. The amalgamation made possible the production of an enlarged and improved paper. So far from costs being reduced, they have been increased heavily. Under the burden of additional costs, newspapers throughout New Zealand have been forced to increase their prices and the “Times-Age” was amongst the very last to take that step. —Ed.