The Guardian And Evening Star, with Which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 1928. SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with Which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 1928. SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION.

Tins eulogies passed on the Kokatahilvoiterangi Winter Show left no doubt in tho mind's of visitors as to the quality of the production the- district is capable of sending out. In various I classes there were outstanding exj arnples of the productivity of the land, ! and seeing that the district is adjacent > to a good market with facilities at j Jiand for transport to reach other mar- | kets for surplus products, there really I should bo no limits to tho attempt to 1 produce more and more from the dis- ■ trict. Dairying is well established, but j a drive through tho district shows that \ that industry is capable of material i expansion. The wealth being brought | into the district through that channel ! should encourage the dairy farmers to j improve- and increase their herds. To ■ that end, a general cleaning up of the I land is necessary in many quarters, and | as there is the reward awaiting the ! effort, the settlers' might well have the j incentive to do more in respect to a ' profitable industry. The Show nianiI fested many side-lines in farming for | which there should be profitable returns ! also. The Hon Mr Michel spoke of the ham and bacon trade. There was an exceedingly fine display indicating the pig industry, though far from iK'ing established, in possible of considerable expansion at very little extra cost to the producer. Mr Sodden was another s[>eaker who referred to the poultry industry, and it would appear much more could ho done with poultry as a side-line. The available birds dressed for competition sold very readily and the demand was unsatisfied. The production of eggs is sure to meet with a market always, and by growing local feed, egg production should prove of value to the farmers. In regard to root crops, apart from what arc required on the farm for feed purposes, there is a local market also for any surplus quantity. In the past large quantities of turnips and mangolds have been imported, and surely there is not tho necessity to send the money out of* the district. Very considerable wealth could ho retained on the Coast for the various side-lines referred to, and just ns the extra money brought to the district by dairying is assuming large sums, so the additional avenues of income to bo derived from extra production, would increase local returns, and mean added value to farms from the production point of view. Land values in the district in relation to pastoral production are not high compared with the land values elsewhere. If more were known about tho productivity of the district lands, there would lie more demand. It is to be regretted that the move to send an exhibit to the Otago "Winter Show has not been carried out. As an advertising medium it would have been most useful. "Now that it is not possible to reach the Dunedin display, the farmers of the district should consider the advisability of organising a display for the Canterbury Show. Settlers from Canterbury! are now becoming interested in West Coast land propositions, and the present is a.n opportunity to advertise the quality in the way of production outside, as a means of forming rallies. With the reading going on in the Ko-katahi-lKoiterangi district the settlors are being assisted very materially. But ui rough displays at Shows they can assist themselves also, and the more publicity given to the district in that respect, the greater will he the outside interest in the welfare of the district. Mr O’Brien said the display at Kokatalii this week was a complete answer to those who said the Coast could not grow produce. Air Holland was equaly flattering in his remarks about the general excellence of the Show. Outside views of this character should encourage the settlers to continue their annual shows, and in particular strive to put themselves in 1 competition with outsiders by endeavouring to make an attractive district ; display at some of the outside Shows as a means of advertising the latent resources of the district in regard to 1 land production. '