The Hawera Star. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1924, THE NEW SEASON.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 July 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1924, THE NEW SEASON.

Delivered eterj evening t>y 5 o'clock Id Hawera, Manaia, Normanby. Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeha Manutahi, Alton, Rurleyville, Paten, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangat, Meremere. Fraeer Road, and

With the ending of July the thoughts of farmers turn to the new season. August sometimes proves to be as wintry as June and July, but during the month some of the cows come in and the operations at most of the factories begin 'once more. The month which ends to-day has been marked' by low temperatures. Snow has fallen on the higher levels, and severe frosts have been experienced, which have stopped the growth of grass. However, there are signs that spring is approaching, and in this fertile district a few mild days soon make a great difference to the pastures. Spring means to the townspeople longer days and genial warmth after the cold of winter; to tips farmer it means more pleasant conditions and more work, but he enters upon it keenly, hoping that Nature will be kind and that she will respond generously to his efforts to .co-operate with her iu the important task of making the land give up more of its wealth. For several years past the seasons have been good, and the output from the district has grown to proportions exceeding the most sanguine expectations of a decade ago. The farmers have learned better methods, and they have come to regard farming as a science, calling for careful study and the abandoning of haphazard attempt. They have seen the dairy industry grow’ from comparatively small beginnings into the mainstay of the Dominion. When the wool and meat markets declined so seriously, it fell to the dairy industry to save the situation, and as everyone knows the country’s position would have been very bad indeed had not the output of butter and cheese been increased and prices kept up to a satisfactory level. The country owes a great deal to the dairy industry and to -the farmers who made such splendid efforts to increase the output from the farms and to send to the markets the best quality produce. New Zealand was able to establish an excellent market, but the time has come when strong competition must be expected. Denmark, w’e learn, is going in for an extensive advertising campaign; Siberia is sending increasing quantities of butter to the British markets; and dairy produce from the two Americas must nlso be taken into account. It looks as if the competition for markets w’ill lead toi lower prices, so that if New Zealand is to maintain her position in dairy produce, the best attention must be paid to quality. There has been a marked improvement during the last few years, and very good reports have been received from the Old Country of the excellent, condition of our butter and cheese, reflecting credit' upon the factory managers and their staffs. It w’ill be necessary to maintain the high reputation thus earned. Then, it will also be necessary to increase production still further a s a setoff against low’er prices which those connected with the industry anticipate. A good season is especially desired for this reason, and also to help farmers through the financial difficulties that have arisen from inflated land values, difficulties which it was hoped could have been removed with less iiouble. It is hoped that the season when it ends will find the dairy farmers as a whole in a better position, and

with more money available to spend on improvements to their land and herds. Some of the farmers have been placed in such a position that they have not been able to spend money upon manures and better quality stock, both very necessary towards, increased production. How-ever, it is hoped that they are a,bout to. experience better times. The coming of spring within the next few weeks should be accompanied by a hbpeful spirit. We believe that- the worst of the severe depression lias passed and that the farmers whole will find their position, steadily improving. Some, unfortunately, are carrying too heavy a burden, and it. may be impossible for them to continue, but the majority will, we think, be on a thoroughly sound footing after another season, if production is good and prices do not fall too heavily. Let all therefore look forward hopefully to the new season and determine that it will not be for lack - of effort if they fail to secure a good return from their farming-