COUNTRY'S POSITION

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 23, 27 January 1934, Page 12

COUNTRY'S POSITION

PRIME MINISTER'S REVIEW

PLIGHT OF DAIRYING

(By Telegraph.) (Special to the "Evening. Post.")

DUNEDIN, This Day

A most cordial reception was given the Prime Minister (the Bt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) at a luncheon tendered him by the Manufacturers' Association yesterday." The luncheon was largely attended by representative citizens.

Mr. Forbes said that there had beeu little sunshine in the last three years, and the first lift had been an improvement in the price of wool and in the price of meat. That would mean that there would be several millions more brought into the country. With regard to wool, it would mean an additional £6,000,000, and so far as frozen meat, was concerned, it would mean an additional £1,000,000 or £2,000,000, which would greatly stimulate business.

Generally, he thought that the coming year would undoubtedly show an improvement in business and employment. The only part of the primary industry in difficulties was dairying, which had to meet prices below economic cost. All knew that, when an industry like dairying had to face difficulties such as were prevalent at present, it was rather disheartening to those engaged in the industry, and he hoped that the existing bad conditions would not last long. Dairying was an industry which made for close settlement, as it employed a great many men.

;It would be a serious matter for New Zealand if, on account of the quota, they had to cut down their production. That was why he was anxious- to see a rise in .the price of dairy produce. Business men.had had the soundness of their concerns well tested by the depression, and it was'distinctly encouraging to realise .how few firms.had gone'under.

As a farmer, he- -had,been delighted to see. the -fine .country through which he had passed. ; He could see there was room for rural as well as city development. ! - ' ' ■ ■'' ' ■