OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 December 1943, Page 3

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

PHOSPHATES & PRODUCTION (To the Editor.) Sir—ln your issue of 7th inst. there appears a letter over the nom-de-plume of “Townie Cel,” which is so mischievous in its implications that it is surprising that it should find space in a responsible journal. The writer is evidently not aware of a fact which must be known to .you, viz., that the reason why farming is not classed as an essential occupation is that the Farmers’ Union is opposed to it being so classed. They may have good reasons for this, but it is their responsibility.

The most mischievous part of the letter, however, is where he asks: “Why was the. offer of a quantity of phosphates from America refused?” and then goes on to say that this refusal caused a shortage in the quantity of w’heat grown this season. If this v?ere true, then it would give every farmer and producer a reason for rejecting the Government's appeal for more production. Fortunately it is not true, and I contend “Townie Cel” should have been required to produce his authority for his statement before his letter was published. I have been in touch with Mr Nash, and as a result I can state that far from “Townie Cel’s ’ statement being correct, it is the exact opposite of the truth. I can if required furnish detailed information showing the constant endeavours made and, being made to obtain the necessary phosphates. I apologise for occupying your space, but the incorrect statement regarding phosphates seemed to me to be so subversive of our war effort that I feel it is a plain duty to correct it. If your correspondent cares to reply to this over his own name, I shall take notice, but I respectfully submit that statements as serious as the one in question, unless supported by the writer’s identity, should not be published when we are at war and the production front is so vitally important.— Yours, etc. . J. ROBERTSON, Masterton, December 10.