FARMER’S FUTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1933, Page 3

FARMER’S FUTURE

SOCIETY PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. AUCKLAND, June Mr ■ln his speech at the conference of the Royal Agricultural Society yesterday, the president; , (Mr.. L, R., ;C. Maie'farAa'ne, revealed an attitude of, mind tiff it is in relfesbing oontrast with that often in evidence af farmers’ gatherings, Thpre was no talk of what' demands might be made on the Government and community, and no sign of the gloomy despair .about the ,future which is so common. His utterances were, in key with , the new spirit of endeavour that is exp/p/sing jiise’f .in ‘action for higher quality lii dfiry and wool. They must recognise, he said, that success came from hard work ar & d good management, and not from borrowed money. Little- purpose can, be served by., recalling the-‘borrowing frenzy .of the past, except fo emphasise its perils. Borrowing w.as ■ riot the only bane. Rarely • were reserve*, established ip ■ a form that made jtliem . readily available when urgently needed.

Furthermore, the idea that ' the- .reign of prosperity would have no end led to.'farmers running what is an exacting, business under overhead costs that; were oiit of proportion to tffe turnover. At 1 the-se factors have brought their penalties to add to the problems of ■the price - sluirip;"The -4M' *td‘ Mcovcry' is -plain. Certainly the outlook has -improved considerably during the past few week's, but, the old rides by whir-b (New Zealand was developed still apply.

Those, like ,M r MacfaiAue, who are proclaiming them are not voices crying in the wilderness. There is general recognition of the fact that each man by his own industry, perseverance A?hd ab'lity must bni’d his own future; providing in the f t years for "(He jean.-... Tlie public of .large ~,wiM be grateful to M r :Macfarlane ! lffor ,t;he faith expressed ood implied •im the Dominion s resources,- for. Ms belief ..that broadacre investment w;’l rgain' become attractive in; spite of interferences, and; fo," his contribution itovi’ard the tion o,f confidence of New iri!;their own; country, and in their bwri powers) to fight their way out of difficulty. Much harm has been done in the : pist by extravagant pessimism.