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Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1926, Page 2

■lnckkasrh production as the solution of the economical problems of New Zealand was urged by the Hon 0. J. Hawken, inister of Agriculture, in a speech at tb? opening of the new hall of the Ranfiioia A. and P. Association recently, “I have always considered the Agricultural and Pastoral Department a very important one, and I consider that our ideas in the past have not been along the proper lines,” said .Mr Hawken. "1 firmly lielieve that a department that has to do with such great producing interests should receive more support than it has boon receiving in the pust. 1 am speaking finite frankly. Tt will ho my duty to lay down a sound policy and to look into thi? various issues involved in connection with farming. The Department should have more funds at its disposal than it has. AA'e have spent in various other Departments a great deal of money. The expenditure of this Department has remained the same every year. In this country we have a. large number of farmers who were not trained as farmers. They were brought up on farms. Our agricultural college, which I hope will ■shortly come info being, is a great thing. My concern, however, is for the men on the land. We must wait for the results of the teaching that is givoti the young folk. That will come. But wo must not lose sight of the men who are on the land to-day. That, is the point, and it is ail important point too. We must get down to it and produce more than we have been doing. The great need of New Zealand to-day is increased production. The Agricultural Department will have to take it into its hands to see that a great, deal more itisruclion is given to the young ]>eople who intend to take up farming. We must do everything possible to help the farmer to produce more, than he has been producing. We have men thoroughly skilled in fanning in our Department, and I am of the opinion that we have not made full use of these men in the past. Wo must in the futur. It will !k> to the benefit of the country. We have many difficulties to pass; hut we will do it. Unless we increase production. I say that we have difficult times ahead. I believe that this country is as good a country as there is on the face of Cod’s earth, and T believe that we can always depend on the country; hut wo-vc got to do our hit. We must not lose sight of the human element. ’Little financial troubles and so on visit us sometimes; hut- by getting down to it- we can win through. ”