‘Only France’ Able To Expand Agriculture

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31117, 21 July 1966, Page 8

‘Only France’ Able To Expand Agriculture

(N.Z. Press Association) WHANGAREL July 20. France was probably the only European country capable of increasing its primary production to any extent, the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall )told a meeting at Kaikohe last night.

Mr Marshall said France had a great potential for future agricultural development and its plans for a vast, modern and efficient agricultural programme could be a challenge to New Zealand. The capacity was there. Mr Marshall said France, in direct contrast to Denmark and the Netherlands, where primary production was now limited by industrial activities, was still at the peasant stage of farming, although more and more farmers were acquiring modern machinery to improve farming standards, efficiency and production. Greatly increased production could make France a challenge to New Zealand under the Common Market agreement and that was why New Zealand had to be treat ed as a special case when future Common Market negotia tions were in hand, Mr Mar Shall said. Mr Marshall said that al though Britain must alwayi remain New Zealand’s mail overseas market, changim times and the Dominion’; rapidly increasing productioi demanded the search for nev markets and their develop ment along sound business like lines.

RAWHITI LADieS’.— Stableford —Senior: Mrs L. Russell, 31 points; Miss R. Berry, 31; Mrs M. Stephens, 30. Mrs Russell won on a count-back. Intermediate: Mrs S. McCann, 35 points; Miss N. Ryan, 34; Mrs 0. Hattersley, 33. Junior: Miss O. Williams, 36 points; Mrs E. Tench, 23.