The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1890.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3581, 7 August 1890, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1890.

A small farmer published a letter in our last issue which interested us exceedingly. Its short and simple annul of so much butter made and sold, and so much other produce turned into money showed exactly how small farmers in this community do live and have to livo. There was, however, one omission in the account which our correspondent' gave, and that was the sum he has to pay for interest, rates and rates. This proud proprietor of fifty acres lias not, we believe, an unencumbered estate, and before he can place to his oredit the £79 he realised in a twelve month out of butter, eggs and vegetables he must deduct the fixed charges on his. property. If these were taken off, his income instead of being £73 would probably be £SO or ' less. Then he tells us that (here are four and a half adults on the farm, and if we assume that three of them are workers wefind that eaoh one of them wouldearn say the third of £SO or about £l6 per annum, by ■, getting up early, late taking rest and i eating the bread of carefulness. > Our farmer friend has sixteen i pounds a year or six shillings a ! week to pay' for his groceries, his clothing,'his occasional meat and his pleasure trips, and yet he has the assurance to be contonted, to he proud of his success, to boast of his 'independence, and to take delight in his little store. Why doesthe not join a labor union, or boycott somebody or everybody, or get up a civil commotion. Does smafl farming pay? Of course it'does not on any recognised soale of remuneration, yet hero we have a spectacle presented ■ to us of a hardworking and intelligent settler, following Dr Abernethy's advice of living on a shilling a day, and earning it,-and being perfectly happy 1 and contented, .wlnlo the working men of New Zealand who are earning seven, eight, nine, and even ten. shillings a day are unhappy and discontented. The geiltlemen who compose the Maritime Council and who regulate the wu£es of the Colony • might take a lesson from this small farmer, Mid realise bow hard it is for the working bees ,of the Colony, the small farm producers, to make money. !