N.Z. FARMS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1933, Page 2

N.Z. FARMS

CASE OF “LIFE AIADE EASY.”

AUSTRALIANS lAfPRESSED

SYDNEY, February 16

The Victorian farmers who recently visited* ifew 1 Zealand wer© -greatly impressed with what they saw in the Dominion, and have returned convinced that farming conditions there arc very much in advance of those to be found in Australia, Members of the del-ega. tion have drawn, for the -benefit of their fellows, an attractive picture ui dairy farming in the North island, and •have enlarged on the neat and cosy homes of the farmers. They say that in Niew Zealand “cow cockying” is no longer a -drudgery and that the farmers in New Zealand live in comparative ease -viewed from Australian standards. • - -

Mr S. G. ■ Greenwood, of Kerang, a director of the -party, Deferring to N e w Zealand farmers said : “Their homes are bright and comfortable, scrupulously clean, and designed with ©very thought of saving labour for the womenfolk. In consequenoe, the farmer’s wife is far better off than women on dairy farms in Australia, for they are -seldom called upon to do outside work. With most of th e farms supplied by electricity, milking, as well as many other operations, i-s worked mechanically at a low cost and little hard labour is entailed.” Mr Greenwood joined with others in admitting that New Zealand had much to teach Australia in tih e matter of farm management. The farms in New Zealand were from 150 to -250 acres, -carrying two cows to the acre. There was a' noticeable absence of ho-rse-s, and .ploughing was not indulged in to any extent, as th© pasture© were established. The use of artificial manures to as much as five cwt to the acre had to be adopted regularly, because of the lightness of the soil. In Victoria the use of one cwt was considered to be generous.

"The New Zealanders sought to convince us that they were now .facing the period of depression from wlhich Australia is emerging,” said, MiGreenwood. “Ther t e was certainly no -sign of depression among the farmers, who treated us with every hospitality, and it j© likely that arrangements will be made for them to pay a return visit to Victoria when the time is opportune.” Arrangements were made by the party for a continuous supply of perennial .ry© -seed for the establishment of pastures in the irrigation district© of Northern .Victoria. With an assured supply of t-eed of good quality it is not -considered that the growing of perennial rye will present great difficulties. Experimental plots !, 1ready grown around Kerang have proved tlhe value of this gras©.