WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1928, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS

INCREASE IN FLOCKS

(Special to “ Guardian.”)

WELLINGTON, duly 2,

The interim sheep returns of New ''Zealand ns at April 30th last make pleasant reading and indicate that sheep men aro in for a profitable season. The returns show a total of 27,001,230, an increase of 1,352,220 on the previous year. The number in the North. Island is 14,423,961 and in the South Island 12,572,275, so that there are nearly two million more sheep in the South. The South Island shows tlie larger gain for the year, the figures being 831.079 against the North Island increase of 471,141. This seems to indicate that the South Island is reverting to sheep farming, and this is

as it should he. There is a. steady income to be made from sheep which cannot he said of agriculture. The increase in Docks is assurance that the wool dip of 192.9-2!) will be larger than in the past season by about 30,000. and it also indicates tlmt shipments of frozen mutton and lamb will he larger, and consequently the exports of sheepskins should lie. greater. Thus from wool, meat and sheepskins, the income of the farmers in the coming season should show ail increase of sav 01,300,00), as compared With the past season. One cannot speak definitely as regards daily produce, which is subject to wcaihcr influences, lutt the probability is that production will show an increase. Herd-testing, top-dressing, and more careful farming should, if the climatic conditions are at all favourable, result in increases in both butter and cheese. In connection with dairying a new industry appears to have developed and that is the export of boneless veal. The slaughter ol day old calves for export will begin in a few days, and this will ho the first industry to begin operations for the new season. ft seems that there is much warrant, for holding an optimistic view of the earning season. The exports should show a substantial increase unless there happens a drastic tall in prices, which is most unlikely. If imparts arc kept. down. t.he excess ot exports over imports should he substantial, and there should he an increase in the spending power of the people. Whether this will solve' the unemployment problem remains to he seen, but according to economists iL will do so only to a limited extent. I neinploymont as it exists in New Zealand today is not entirely the result ot what is known as a trade cycle, that is a slump following a boom, were it so it would not he quite so severe as it is, for our exports for the half-year are very much in excess of imports. The trouble arises inainlv quite from another cause, and that is that production costs are out of gear with open market prices for primary products. Taxation, money rates and wages will have to he adjusted before prosperity is (irmly established in New Zealand. ARTIFICIAL ' SILK.

The British artificial silk industry lias become firmly rooted, and as tar as it is possible to visualise the future the prospects of. tlie industry. are believed to he of the brightest. In the initial stages many people harboured the view that artificial silk would shut out ordinary cotton clothes and prove a menace to wool. This has proved.to be erroneous, for it is now an indisputable tact that instead of injuring the cotton j rade or even . restricting its production, the artificial sill: fibre lias been ol material help in providing work for cotton machinery. The British trade returns show excellent results, especially for cotton and artificial silk .mixtures. Apart from dress and lingerie fabrics, and the many cloths in which artificial silk is used in conjunction with cotton for the export trade, there is an increased demand both on home and foioign account, for artificial silk hosiery. Here again the export trade has reached record proportions, and the temporary transfer of fashion away from artificial silk has been completely overcome. In the furnishing trade artificial r-illc lias been used in curtains and in other fabrics to an increasing extent, ■the largest and most conservative ot the furnishing houses are now freely recommending artificial silk for curtain fabrics. 'l’lie material is. considered suitable for the modern Window. That it has not been. harmful to wool is shown by the. keen world demand for the latter and the reasonable prices paid.