DOMINION PRODUCE

Evening Star, Issue 20057, 24 December 1928, Page 6

DOMINION PRODUCE

A RECORD EXPECTED ■ [.Specux. to tub * Stab.'] WELLINGTON, December 24. Good tidings for the New Year conics from responsible quarters in the produce world, for there is every prospect of the dominion entering a record season, ■ While everything depends upon the weather in the ncxt_ two months extreme optimism rules in every direction. The mild winter and early spring have given the country a start in production which nothing.but the worst of weather can check.

In the meat world a record season is confidently predicted, with the South Island figuring prominently. Already things are moving in Hawke’s Bay and the Waikato, and, while the lambing is not quite as heavy as was hoped, the increase in breeding ewes will offset this disappointment. Last year lambing was late in the South, but this season is expected to be in lino with the rest of the dominion. With the American mr/ vt holding up for beef, there is money in meat this year. Dairy produce .circles are confident that, with reasonable weather, last year’s figures will be left behind. An additional reason for optimism lies in the fact that an even better return to the producer for cheese is held to bo certain this year, with butter firm, at least.

The wool clip will he marked by a production - of from TO, OHO to 15,000 hales greater than that of last season. .Somewhat lower prices are expected to rule for finer wools, but these will bo compensated for by tho greater yield ol fleeces.

With the fruitgrowers matters arc also good. It is not anticipated that last year’s phenomenal crop will he passed, but.' flcsnitc the damage done by hail during the past, fortnight, the fruit crop will bo excellent. If anything, matters arc brighter than last year, for reports from Australia and Tasmania show that those countries cannot avoid a light cron, and that dominion fruitgrowers will not have to meet anything like the competition which faced them last year. Best of all is the prospect of the honey industry, which fearlessly predicts a record crop.