FARMING

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1929, Page 3

FARMING

USE OF MACHINERY

AUCKLAND, Fob. 19

The use of agricultural implements on farms in almost every country of the world is the chief interest of Mr Cyrus McCormick, jun., of Chicago, vice-president of the International Harvester Company, who, with Mrs McCormick, arrived from Sydney by the Ulimaroa. Mr McCormick is making a world tour in the interests of the business, and will spend ten days in New Zealand before returning to Australia.

Leaving Chicago at the end of December, Mr McCormick lias already visited Japan, China, the -Philippine Islands, and Australia. His stay in Australia was a short one, and be will return there to make a thorough tour of the Commonwealth after his visit to the Doipinion. Before returning to Chicago about October, he will visitSingapore, French Indo China, Siam, Europe and England. “No countries of the Eastern 'Pacific have adapted machinery for agricultural purposes more readily than Australia and New Zealand,” Mr McCormick stated. “In China, where 95 per cent of the population of 400 millions derive their living from work on land, agricultural machinery is practically unheard of. The use of it will come, hut it will not be in our time. The unending supply of cheap manual labour is the greatest factor preventing it.” The Philippine Islands, lie said, wore midway between Australia and New Zealand and -China, in the adoption of agricultural macliineiy. The interests of the company in Japan were somewhat limited, because there was very little farming done in that country. “This is my first visit to New Zealand, a country about which I have heard much,” Mr McCormick stated. “One hears only good of it, and I know all my anticipations will be realised.’ Mr'McCormick’s grandfather was the inventor of the reaping machine. His father, Mr Cyrus McCormick, is president of the cqmpany. Mr McCormick is aged 88, and -lifts had a most- interesting career. He graduated from Princeton University and then took a two years’ course in history at Oxfoid, graduating P.A. “My experience at Oxford will always remain one of the most valuable of ray life,” he stated. “I love the University, and felt as much at home there as I did at Princeton. They certainly do make us Americans welcome over there. It uas an experience that I would not have cared to miss, and I certainly think every young American who has the opportunity should enjoy a similar experience before sotting out on a business career.” During the war Mr McCormick joined up with the United States Air Force, where he remained for two years. The cessation of fighting prevented him from reaching Fiance. Ho stated that he was one of two millions who “did not get over.”