WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1926, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS

SOME GOOD ADVICE. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON. March 19. The lion W. Bomber Reeves at one time Minister of the Crown, later Agent-General for New Zealand in London, and at present Chairman of Directors of the National Bank of New Zealand, who, after an absence of 30 years, is visiting the Dominion, speaking to the members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, offered some useful advice with respect to the future development of the country. Me thought that the most was not being obtained out of the land, or to put if another way. the capacity for further development and increased production was tremendous, in his opinion there were two things which were likely to prove obstacles. One was the heavy indebtedness of the producers, and the other was the land not being subdivided as it should he. This, ofeour.se. will not fit in with the ideas of fanners. who think that they ought to he able to borrow up to 90 or On per cent of such securities a.s they are able to offer, and to be able to borrow at a low rate of interest. It is because this uneconomic view is held that Micro is so much stupid criticism of the banks in this country. On this quest ion of indebtedness to tbo banks. Air Reeves stated that after going carefully into the matter bis calculations showed that the indebtedness of the rural producers to the banks was only one-tenth to one-eleventh of their whole indebtedness. They owed ten times as much to outsiders as they owed to the hanks. Cheap loans was not the remedy, but a closer settlement of the land and greater production. Air Reeves said that he had seen farm after farm where the trouble was that the farmer bad too much land, and was not able to employ labour where it could be utilised profitably, so that his property was standing still or actually going back. Noxious weeds were gaining a bold, were becoming a danger to the country, how great only those who had been through the islands could understand. Me thought they could double the number of cultivators. Me saw no oilier way ol gradually increasing the production ol this country, and an increase in production is absolutely essential. Me did not think much of the scope for the secondary industries, because of the tack of markets. Tbo secondary industries have only tbo New Zealand market and that is more or less secured to them., through a high tarilF. None of them have got to the stage of being able to export, and if a foreign market did offer, the cost ol production would prevent them from competing .successfully with others. FROZEN AfKAT TRADE.

Is meat refrigeration a decadent industry? This seems possible if the views expressed by experts is to receive credence. According to Alessrs AY. Weddell and Coy. who have been connected with the frozen meat trade of New Zealand practically front its inception. state in their annual report that beef has again become England's favourite joint. A refrigerating expert stated the other day that with the growth of the chilled meat. trade, frozen meal was being gradually pushed out of the English market. Another cable message states that fresh Argentine heel killed in English owned abattoirs in Zcebruggo is selling in London within a day of killing and making 9d per pound, equalling the prices for English heel. This is quite a new development and pile that does not promise well for New Zealand. Beef is Britain’s favourite joint, and the South American republics are catering for the British trade. AYith ample supplies of chilled beef, and now with fresh beef there is nob much elm nee for mutton and lamb seeing high prices. The Argentine and Cragtm.v also -wild frozen beef to Britain, and this beef i:.- relatively cheap ai all events much cheaper than frozen mailton and lamb. According to Weddel and Coy there is no immediate evidence of a world’s scarcity of meal. Besides this fresh heel from the Argentine, Canada is likely to he an important contributor of fresh beef. The Argentine lias the British and American Meat Trusts operating in the country. and it is I lie capital and organisation oi these concerns that are bringing about all tins development. In New /calami wj have no us,;, lor British capital and we believe that with Government interference ill the industry as expressed by the .Meat Producer's Control Board will bring about satisfactory development.. It is obvious that we will be forced to change our views nud methods. ,

■‘Now Zealand liiis come into po>.-es-'ion ol >omething more valuable llt:m iiio biggest Hold .Mini'," remarked the captain of an Amorii-im liner the other day when sampling snmo of our local tobacc >. ‘‘And I predict." lie wont on, ‘‘llial in years to cmne tobaccogrowing here will he just as Ihuirifihing as in Virginia, my native uiiintry.” It is gratifying to see that some enterprising people in this Dominion are realising the huge possibilities ol' the tnhaoco industry, lint even the most sanguine were surprised alien the local article made its first appearance. Such was the success that the manufacturers could hardly cope with tie' demand. And no wonder. because this tobacco represents ipdie a new type with a distinctive llavour ol its own, due, it is said, to ilie toasting process which lias been adopted in its manufacture. Hut its greatest virtue is its small percentage of nicotine, and this is why it does not alfeet the heart and nerves or the eyesight. Smokers should not fail to give it a trial. Obtainable in throe strengths.—liiverhead (fold. mild; Toasted Navy Cut (Bulldog), medium; and Cut I’lug .No. |l> (Bullhead), full bodv.—Advf.