The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1931. FARMING FUTURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1931. FARMING FUTURE.

The future of New Zealand farming was discussed by Dr. H. E'. Annett, of Matangi, Waikato, in an address he delivered before the Wellington Philosophical Society last week. The need for co-operation was stressed by Dr. Anett, who also dealt with the methods by which he believed the lot of the farmer could be improved. The solution, he said, lay in high per-acre production. Scientific discoveries are continually threatening the existence of the primary producer. The artificial silk industry has considerably affected the wool position. Bio-chemists can produce sugar, starch and substances of the nature of protein from simple gases and water under the influence of special ’light rays. It may well be that the production of synthetic food substances such as these may render unnecessary the growing of some of our present-day crops. Making allowances for all these factors, however, T am a distinct optimist- regarding the agricultural future of New Zealand. Recent developments have shown that science is able to come to the aid of the dairy-farmer and the sheep-fanner to a very remarkable degree. Quite apart from improvements In actual farming practice, there was certain other matters which had to be seriously considered by the farming community of this country. Fi-stly, some re-op-

ganisation of our general educational sys.em was necessary in order that it might be more fitted to the needs of the agricultural community. One subject which should be taught as a religion at some stage in New Zealand was the principles of co-operation. Secondly there should be a much fuller development of an advisory service. for farmers,. In Denmark the

farmers smarted their own advisory bv the Government, ■ who contributed 40 per cent, of the salary of the adviser, and of the cost of experiments, demonstrations, e'.c. There were 200

advisory experts in the service of the Danish Agricultural Societies, and each had charge of about 1000 farmers or 50,000 acres. Certainly, in New Zealand, this link between the experimental work and the fanner would have to he more fully developed. Thirdly, said Dr. Annett, there had to he closer co-ordination of the research which .is going on throughout. New Zealand. At present the Bomiaioii has numerous bodies conducting agricultural research work. The control of this research should be unified but should be

entirely removed from political influence. In time of stress research and scientific departments should be stimulated, and not starved. A very tnorough system iof »hed inspection should be introduced, and there was an urgent need for inquiry into various matters relating to dairy factories. Lastly. New Zealand soils stood in need of fertilisers. The future of New Zealand farming depends on two things.” said Dr. Annett. “First there is the provision of finance, and this, should not he done by Government, hut hv private enterprise. I am convinced that dairy fanning organised on industrial lines should be a paying proposition. In order to attract capital from the towns this must be demonstrated. .Secondly, there is the need for increasing the number of settlers on the land, and this could be done by the provision of smaller farms and the demonstration of the possibilities of such farms.