The Dominion WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1917. THE TASK AHEAD OF THE FARMER
In his presidential address at tho opening of the Farmers' Union Conference yesterday, Sir James Wilson wisely laid less emphasis upon the existing prosperity of our primary industries than upon the problems which will demand attention in the near and more distant future. At tho present time, though volume of production has been barely maintained during the war period, agricultural products command abnormally high prices. Tho result, in spite of the fact that the shipping problem, is at the moment acute, is that primary producers are enjoying a period of unexampled prosperity, which is reflected in the general prosperity of tho Dominion. It would be a grave misfortune if farmers and other, sections of the population were lulled by these conditions into a state of false security. It cannot bo too strongly emphasised that the conditions which make for high prices and prosperity are temporary, or, at all events, are of uncertain duration, whereas the burdens which the war is imposing aro for practical purposes permanent. ' The heavy expenditure into which we have been led by the war will not terminate with the conclusion of peace, but will necessarily be continued for many years to come, It will be a long time before tho annual call on revenue for pensions *tnd for the redemption of war loans is appreciably reduced. The prospect before us is that of meeting the heavy financial burdens occasioned by tho war in years in which tho prices of our staple products will probably bo lower than thoy aie at present. All who have troubled to look ahead will recognise that Sir Jaiies Wilson spoke sound sense when ho said that the task of making our way through the morass of debt which we would find ourselves in after the war would demand tho exercise of tho same cnergy .and pluck as have been shown by our soldiers at the front. Tho fact cannot bo too widely appreciated that the enterprising development of our primary industries is absolutely essential if wo are to successfully meet tho inevitably onerous demands of the after-war period.: In the present and pros-
pective circumstances of our Dominion wo may adopt unreservedly the statement lately made by Mr. IJoover, American Food Controller, in regard to the agricultural industry of tho United States :
It is a most important ihing to-dav for tho populace of this country to go hack to-tile laud. Wo need more farmers, and if wo must liavo more farmers, wo certainly must make the prices paid to tho farmers for their stuff not only fair, but attractive. If anything these words have even moio point here than in tho country in which they were spoken,'for wo are and shall bo even more dependent upon our primary industries than are the people of the United States. This docs not mean, of course, that a particular class in the community is, or should be, singled out for special consideration. It is simply a recognition of the fact that New Zealand is supremely dependent upon its primary industries, -and cannot hope- to meet the heavy demands which are in piospecfc in any other way than by increasing tho volume of wealth extracted from tho soil. Primary producers and people engaged iii other callings have a common interest in the matter. The farmer is entitled to every possible encouragement and facility in the promotion of his industry, ancT" at tho same time ho owes it as a duty to tho State that ho should iii every possible way increase the volume of production. This duty Sir James Wilson very frankly recognised, and all that he had to say about tho necessity of stimulating production by improved methods, the spread of agricultural education, and in other ways, is to l)e very heartily endorsed. _ At the same time, it is to bo recognised that the problem involved will afford full scopo for all the brain-power and energy that can be brought to bear upon it._ It will bo necessary ,at onco to increase the area of settlement, and to stimulato tho retirrn from lands already in use by tho widest possible application of skilled methods and intensive cultivation. For tho time being settlement is restricted by the fact that public works expenditure essential to the opening up and roading of lands is reduced to a minimum. As soon as conditions permit, public works expenditure will have to bo very heavily increased, _ and while tho ultireturn will be profitable to the Dominion the necessity of finding large sums for this purpose will for a time intensify the problems of the after-war period. There aro other problems and difficulties bearing upon the future of our primary industries which must be vigorously attacked, quite as much in tho interests of tho general community as in the interests of tho farmer. The existing, shipping shortage is temporary, and may bo relieved in the not very distent future, but other aspects of the shipping question hardly admit as optimistic an outlook. Freights during the war period have been raised to abnormal heights, and now amount to what can only be regarded as a most extortionate toll levied on tho producer. The difficulty of forcing a reduction will certainly be great, and the position warrants the producers of the Dominion 111 seriously considering the question of acquiring their own ships. The project is not one to be lightly entered upon, but granted tho loyal co-operation of all concerned the manifest difficulties it presents aro not necessarily insuperable. Another cloud upon the horizon appears in the operations r.f the Meat Trust. In coping with this menace the producers of the Dominion are under an obvious necessity of banding _ loyally together in defence of their common interests, and are clearly entitled to all the support the Government can render. As a whole, it is to be rccogniscd that although the 'primary industries upon which we are so completely dependent are at present enjoying exceptional prosperity, _ the maintenance of this prosperity will be socured only by a vigorous policy_ of development and by leaving nothing undone, that is calculated to foster improved methods and to increase the volume of production.
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Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3145, 25 July 1917, Page 4
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1,038The Dominion WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1917. THE TASK AHEAD OF THE FARMER Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3145, 25 July 1917, Page 4
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