The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MAY 12th, 1939. GREEN PASTURES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 10, 12 May 1939, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MAY 12th, 1939. GREEN PASTURES

Just what substantially increased production would mean to New Zealand, is emphasised by the overseas trade returns, just published for the year ended March 31st. Because exports declined and imports continued on a high level, the visible balance of exports over the imports for the year, was only £3,458,000, whereas a balance of about £11,0100,000 is required annually to meet overseas commitments, to say nothing of any redemption of capital loan indebtedness. The restriction of imports is slowly adjusting the position—at what cost or benefit remains, to be keen. Bu!t if production and exports continue to decline, that process of adjustment will be further hampered. Production of exportable commodities has declined in value by £4,053,000 in the first nine months of the production season to date, and no reccWery qan now be hoped for this season. Against this we have the government's optimistic regard for the unguessed potentialities of this fertile and prosperous land and everything points to the urgent necessity of expanding the exportable production of the Dominion. This however remains the most stubborn problem the country has to face, for the longer exports are permitted to contract the greater wiU be the difficulty in meeting overseas debts. As residents n a district reputedly one of the. most productive in New Zealand, we in Whakatane are following the national trend most carefully. Whatever the political views it becomes us all to be broadminded, not adverse to candid constructive criticism and therefore intensely interested in the progress of our country. Despite all to the contrary the New Zealander is intensely loyal to the country which gave him birth, and shades of political thought must fade before the main issues before the country to date. New Zealand still offers a rich field for the expansion of primary production. Over and over again agricultural experts have asserted that the surface has only been scratched. It is too much to expect production to expand at the rate it has expanded in the past 30 or 40 years but with sound administration it is possjble greatly to increase the output and it is along these Ines that the. Government will seek its immediate source of stabilising revenue. It is without the shadow of doubt the greatest asset this country posesjses and , therefore the natural investment for any government desiring to raise the standard of living. Expansion of the manufacturing industries is desirable to a point, but there is no hope of such manufacture improving the trade balance in a positive manner, since the export of manufactured goods is impossible excepting in a few comparitively unimportant lines. New Zealand's wealth lies, in the carrying capacity of its green productive pastures and Whakatane as a centre dependent upon the rural districts" for its progress and expansion owes a direct duty to its farming community, members of which are in reality the guardians of the prosperity of the country.