FARMERS CONFER

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1930, Page 6

FARMERS CONFER

FROM N.Z. AND OVERSEAS,

LORD TILED!SLOE INTERESTED

| By Telegraph, Per Press Association.;

WELLINGTON, March 24

Representatives farmers lroin the United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada and New Zealand, are meeting in conference at Wellington to-day to discuss common problems. The Dominion President (Mr Poison) presided and with him on the platform during the preliminary proceedings were Lord Bledisloe, Mr Forbes, Air Coates and Mayor Troup.

Mr Poison extended a welcome to Lord Bledisloe, and said that His "Excellency was known as one of the Empire’s most thoughtful statesmen. At the present time New Zealand was suffering from a small depression lmt they were • satisfied ■it was a temporary depression. They believed in their destiny and they would overcome their difficulties. They would receive additional encouragement from the fact that one who was so intimately connected with the major problems of primary producers was among them, and would be able to give them his help and counsel.

Mr Forbes asked the visitors to give their candid opinions on what they had seen in New Zealand, what were our faults and what could we do to bring about improvements.

Air Poison moved that this' conference of farmers from different parts of the British Empire recommends that convention of farmers representing all parts of the Empire should he held, say, once every two years to discuss the problems of the farming industry throughout the Empire, with a view to co-operative action where such course is possible.

Mr Poison said it was , not possible for the conference to lay down any definite policy, but what it could do was to create an atmosphere of lm perial sentiment. It was untrue that the New Zealand farmer was anxious to get a better price for his produce at the expense of the British farmei. The present was an age of combination. They wanted to climate waste and ascertain the demands of customers throughout the world. Mr A. V. Allen, South Africa, seconding the motion, said that if the conference were held, the South Africa Union would do everything possible to make it a success.

Mr S. R. Whitley (Great- Britain) said the delegates from the Old Country could not speak for any or their organisations, but generally they were in agreement with the terms of the motion, and on their return would do everything possible to advocate the proposal. The motion was ■ carried unanimously. :

Lord Bledisloe revealed himself as a sympathiser with' the rural community in the difficulties of "the pre-sent-depression, and he paid a tribute to the courageous manner in which the New Zealand farmer faced such troubles. He stressed the value ol interchange of thought oil farming matters in various parts of the Empire, and also tlie need for uniformity in marketing primary products. Referring to the subjects to be discussed at the conference, Lord Bledisloe said that on all of them New Zealand was specially entitled to speak. Success had not been due to occasional excellence, or occasional high quality, but to consistent uniformity. New Zealand was entitled to regard “lenolf ns a pioneer in the pastoral industry which gave something like 94 ; j- per cent, of the whole exports from the Dominion.

His Excellency asked what had be'iome of the pig industry in New Zealand. As an old pig producer, lie was intensely interested in the subject, and lie hoped to learn that swine husbandry was being developed as an important side of farming. Referring to plant research at Aberstwyth, be said that experience had led the authorities to believe that soil and climate 1 in certain parts of New Zealand would • raise • herbage plants for seed purposes to provide possibilv all parts of the world with high quality seeds. This might result in the development or healthy business between the agriculturists of Now Zealand and those of the Motherland and other British Dominions. He believed that the present tour of farmers from all parts of the Empire was likely to Ih* a landmark in the history of the Empire.

The Conference carried remits in favour of holding within the Empire a convention in South Africa in 1932, all farming organisations to be asked to provide information for that conference, under several headings; also asking the British Empire Producers’ organisation, London, to urge on the consumption of Empire agricultural produce. The .conference after discussion adopted a motion heartily supporting the proposal for Empire preference. Mr J. S. Cridlan (Britain) urged the removal of the cattle importation restriction. He said that New Zealand herds needed fresh blood.

Air W. Perry, Chairman of the Board of Agriculture agreed, and said he believed that the Board favoured opening the ports.

Mr R. Hornsby (Britain) said lie bad been disgusted with the quality of New Zealand cattle. New Zealand herds must be improved. Mr Cridlan moved that the conference should express the opinion that the embargo should be removed.

Mi' Poison: I’m afraid 1 can’t accept that motion. It would have to be worded in much more diplomatic lan-

guage. Mr T. Currie (New Zealand) said it had been overlooked that all the best "lands in New: Zealand were devoted to dairying. ' ■■

Mr Dickie, Al.Tb, said the authorities dared not remove the embargo for fear of an outbreak of loot and mouth disease.

Mr C. W. Glossop (England) said that with the present precautions there was little chance of infection. Mr Field regretted the visitors’ criticisms. They bad insufficient time to study the question.

Mr Cridlan: The proof of the pudding is the eating thereof. T haven’t bad a decent- piece? of beef since I’ve been in New Zealand. The first thing I’m going to have when T get home, is a piece of Scotch beef.