A SHIFTING POPULATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1810, 24 July 1913, Page 11

A SHIFTING POPULATION.

TARAN&KI'S TEMPORARY POPULATION. Mr. J. B. Murdoch writes as follows from Havrera: — 1. The schools in this district are giving a certain amount of education which is of general use to an agricultural life, which will enable boys and girls later in life to apply the practical methods required, but very little education of a direct practical nature is given, such as tho analysis of soils and tho treatment of same, climatic influence on soils, etc., or anything to show how to produce what is required in an economical way.* 2. As to what is required for local consumption tho farmers get a reasonable value for their produce, being well in touch with tho markets, but beyond this they have entirely to depend upon the merchants or agents. Where one farmer gets £1, another gets 15s. This question deserves muchi consideration. The marketing conditions are the same to-day as many years ago, and the principle is to allow the other follow to do your business how he likes.

3. The railways and roads serve the farmers very well, except that wo require a branch, lino to Opunake, which will then givo us all the service we requiro. The roads are generally good, but with the continual heavy traffic are costly in upkeep. 4. Tho postal service in the district has ,been much improved the last year, tlie Department giving a rural delivery along the more thickly-populated routes. This is of great benefit to farmers, and, with the many post offices throughout tho district,- tho whole service is good. Tho same can be said of the telephone service. Many lines have been laid throughout the district, connecting farms, and the charges have been much, reduced on these lines.

5. The agricultural shows are of much benefit to the farmers, and many farmers use them to inspect and gain knowledge as to their particular requirements. In machinery they are very useful in showing many makes of machines which the average farmer has no other chance of seeing. I would make a suggestion here by which tho farmer would gain a greater benefit from the exhibition of roots. All exhibits of roots should have a card slating when sown, nature of soil, what manures used, and the quantity. This would show the farmer at once what to do and tho result.

6. The Department of Agriculture has done some useful work in this district, especially in the assisting of factories in the methods of production, starting cowtesting associations, which are becoming general, etc. The Moumahaki State Farm is muchi frequented by farmers, and it Is useful to the farmer who is bent on improvements, showing him the many methods adopted. There is no doubt the Department offers direct benefit to the farmer, but many do not avail themselves of the opportunities. 7. There are two co-operative stores in the district run by dairy companies from which the farmers and their households procure most of their requirements. These stores ate a guide to other farmers in respect to values when dealing with private business houses. 8. The farmers who are leasing land except in a few cases aire doing fairly well. Most of the lands held under lease is Government and Maori lands, and rents are reasonable. 9. Farm labour is the most unsatisfactory part of the industry. This is not to say that what labour is engaged is bad, but there is not sufficient offering to meet requirements. Much production could be obtained if sufficient labour could be secured, many farmers having to leave things undone for want of labour. 10. The labourer has generally good treatment and sufficient accommodation is provided. Numbors of fanners fire constantly shifting from place to place, and with these the labourer has not the best of conditions, the fanners not 'being long enoTJghJ in one place to provide them. This shifting population is.a deterrent to the progress of the district, as not sufficient interest is taken by the temporary farmers in any movement of a lasting nature to help the district along. It also checks the social life insofar as ono does not know his neighbour in many cases long enough to get well acquainted. 11. One of the most essential things necessary to improve country life in my opinion is the beautifying of the farm and home surroundings. Many of the farms are simply fenced by wire or live fences, and the homes stand in similar enclosures, with nothing to attract the eye or draw the attention of the household away from their usual avocation, which eventually becomes distasteful to them, whereas by tho growing of' trees, shrubs and flowers pleasant surroundings are made inducive to contentment and making farm lifo attractive. ,