FUTURE OF FARMING

Evening Star, Issue 21753, 22 June 1934, Page 7

FUTURE OF FARMING

IMPROVING OUTLOOK PAST YEAR’S PROCRESS “ BEST SINCE 1914.”. For many this last year has been the best since. 1914, said Mr L. R. C. Macfarlane (Culverden), in his address as retiring president at the annual meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand. The improvement had been seen in the quantity and quality of - production and in the high working profits which had enabled most of the Josses of the last four years to be paid off, Mr Macfarlane continued. One of the reasons for the improvement was that the Government had refused to be stampeded into doing rash things but had steadily considered the general interests of the one industry upon which the dominion relied. Other factors were the depreciation of New Zealand’s currency in line with the action taken by the rest ofi able overseas owing to the natural reaction to the low prices of the previous year; lower costs of production and more economical methods; management of the land to a greater extent than ever before by men with practical experience ; and the absence of speculation m farm property. • . Mr Maclarlane predicted, that when confidence in the land returned fully the business world would be “ falling over itself ,” to get money into primary production, at any sort of low interest.It the duty of every farmer to maintain and increase that confidence. SPIRIT OF PRODUCERS. “ There is another and greater reason for our returning prosperity,” he said. ;“ It is the spirit of the farmers themselves, their determination to make the farms pay and increase production in spitei ot, discouraging prices. More than half the population ot the world is engaged in primary production of some sort. In every country .they have the same idea—to produce and go on producing at nny cost. It is this great steam-roller of production that is sweeping all before it to-day. . .

“ Farmers have been very patient for some time over our extremely high tariff and sales tax and primage,’’ Alp Alaefarlane remarked, on the subject of protection. “We have all realised that the needs of the State have been very great' and the revenue from these sources has been essential until, now, but the position is too ridiculous to go on for much longer.” It was definite* that high protection was keeping lip the unemployment figures. With tho exception of about 17,000 workers engaged at present in uneconomic op badly , managed ■ industries every man, woman, and■ child , in the’ dominion would benefit directly from cheaper imports.- The farmers and the uneranloyed had been very patient.' but how ,long could their patience last?- : Air Alaefarlane expressed his confidence that the outlook for farming in' New Zealand was very bright generally. The industry was now on a much more solid foundation financially, costs were lower, and markets were steadier than they had been for manv years.

WHEAJ, FLOUR, ETC.

Press Assomlioti~By.Telegraph—Copyright,

: _ LONDON, June 21. (Received June 22, at 12.5 p.m.) . Whea,t‘cargoes are quiet, and parcel* are quiet. FuturesLoudon: June, 18s lOd; September, 19s 7id ; December, 20s IOJd. Liverpool; July, 4s 7|d; October4s TIJd; December, 5s l|d; March, 5s 3|d. The spot trade is quiet,! Australian (ex ship). 25s 3d to 26s 6d.Flour: Sion. Australian (ex store), T 7s v 6cl to ISs 6d Oats and barley, steady. Peas and beans, .unchanged.