WEALTH FROM LAND

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 19, 6 February 1937, Page 15

WEALTH FROM LAND

South African Riches in Farming A comprehensive survey of conditions in South Afriea, in which he discussed the problems both of primary and secondary industries, was given by Mt A. Foster du Plessis,- one of the South African delegates to the wbol conference which was held in Melbourne. Mr du Plessis is secretary of the South African Wool Councjl, a member of the National Wool Association, and economist to the Department of Agriculture at Preforia. There are 1,200,000 acres in South Africa sown with wheat and 4,000,000 acres with oats, said Mr du Plessis. The production of maize and other cereals, sugar cane, vine and fresh fruits, although smaller than in Australia, was increasing annually. There were 11,000,000 head of cattle, principally of the hardy Afrikander type. These had been developed for breeding and beef purposes, and an export market was being sought. There were also 2,000,000 dairy cows. More than 80 per cent. of the eheep which were being bred in South Africa were pure Merinos, which were expected to produce 260,000,0001b. of wool this year. The importance of wool, as far as primary products were eoncerned, completely overshadowed everything. Gold production had been assisted greatly by the recent invention of apparatus which enabled mining at greater depths than 8000ft., said Mr du Plessis. Since South Africa left the gold standard in 1932 the , increase in the price of gold and low-grade ores had brought great prosperity to the industry. The annual production was now Worth about £80,000,000. In the years 1929-34 the value of diamonds produced had decreased from £11,000,000 to £1,150,000, and conditions at Kimberley had become critical. The indu» try was being assisted, and was raproving.