To the Editor
Mr. Ritz criticized Bruce Johnson for doing some research on the CWB operation and coming up with several questions which Ritz failed to answer. We must remember both he and Mr. Harper have said many times they would kill the CWB.
They have not said hot the wheat board will operate if they follow through with their threat to kill the single desk.
What about producer cars which give farmers 40 cents a bushel more or $1,200 per car? What happens to the towns that now provide those facilities? How many rail lines will close with no grain car? How much more rural areas will close if this happened? With more trucks hauling grain further who pays for the damaged R.M. roads and highways?
What about cash advances? Will farmers have these available? What happens to shipping out of Hudson Bay grain shipping? Will it close without the CWB? With more ice melting this should be a growing market and more dollars for farmers. How many more country rail lines will close?
I have a suggestion for what it's worth. Let the so called free entrepreneurs who do not like the single desk of the largest grain seller in the world make their choice to deal with the American dominated grain companies. Those farmers would have to express their decision before seeding and anyone withdrawn from the CWB would have to stay out at least four years. The CWB would know how many farmers were staying with them and could make adjustments.
I suggest Mr. Wall and his crew have no right to cheer for Harper and against farmers in Saskatchewan. He represents all farmers and not just a chosen few.
Roy Nelson,
Regina, SK.
