Village Squire, 1976-10, Page 22Who's getting fat off the land
BY A FARM BOY
What would happen if the farmers went
onstrike? Spare the thought! Thank goodness
our farmers are level headed people who take
pride in their work.
They work a six and half day week. No trips
to the cottage on the weekends. The other
half day is spent in church thanking God they
were born farmers. They work quietly without
complaining or making national fools out of
themselves. And humbly sit by feeling proud
of their knowing they have done an honest
days work.
Work! That's a good word these days. The
meaning has changed since I was a boy. Work
in lots of cases is making a public appearance
for eight hours five days a week. Ask a farmer
what work is he'll not only tell you he'll put
you to work. Work is up with the sun and have
the cows fed and milked before breakfast.
Then out on the land the rest of the day until
chore time again. Ever pick stones? Mother is
always thoughtful enough to bring out some
home made goodies wrapped in linen. One of
the few Breaks she gets all day. Did I say
break? I should have said it's a change, for
it's more than just the man who runs the
farm. '
After a good day on the land a farmer may
look a little dirty whats a little manure on your
boots or dirt on your hands. It's a darn sight
cleaner than breathing -city air.
There's no time for night life. It will soon
be dawn and it all starts over again. Harvest
will soon roll around which means working
with the sun. Or as grandad always said
"Let's make hay while the sun shines". A
farmer has to be a carpenter botanist,
biologist, mechanic, almost anything even a
midwife.
Yes a farmer really earns every penny he
gets. And that's about all he makes, pennies!
Have you ever seen a rich farmer? Ever know
one who didn't owe the bankhalf his sweat?
Sure the price of beef and milk are
outrageous. The farmers think so too, they
also have to pay it. Their only taking home a
small percent of that $2.00 a pound bacon
believe me. They also have to pay for feed,
machinery, vet costs, seed grain and probably
a big fat mortgage. The only time he makes
money is when he sells out.
You may ask then why doesn't he get out of
the business? Lots of farmers are asking the
Came nuestinn and lots are Betting out What
would happen if they all went out? What if
they decided to do what most unions are
doing? Going on strike! God help us if they
do. No meat, no milk, no bread on the table
tomorrow. The basis of all human life.
If the Postes can go out on strike for $8.00
an hour why not farmers? They work each day
not only hard but at times under dangerous
conditions. With weather and markets
against them. Manipulated by capitalists and
politicians. In debt because the capitalists
and politicians charge so much for the cost to
run a facm and pay so little for its products.
At times I'm asnamed of Canadians and -
their petty unions. They are ruining Canada
and its standard of living. They demand more
and serve less. If anyone had a right to strike
it's farmers. It would really be a disaster if
they did. Canada would surely fall. So next
time your union decides to strike think how
lucky you really are. Thank your lucky stars
that farmers aren't that foolish. Just who is
getting fat off the land? The farmers should
give those unions and polititions some
"FOOD" for thought
The writer is a former Western Ontario farm
bor now living in British Columbia.
• 3 Piece Suits
• Slacks
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• W indbreakers, etc.
• Dresses
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• Slacks
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• Pant Tops
Quality Merchandise at
Reasonable Prices!
20, VILLAGE SQUIRE/OCTOBER 1976