N.Z. FARMER

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1933, Page 7

N.Z. FARMER

COMPARED WITH AUSTRALIAN,

CHRISTCHURCH, August 15

New Zealand farming methods are | held in high esteem in Australia, according to Mr D. J. Guninngham, 0 f Hawartleu who lias just returned from a visit to New -South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. At the same time he. noted everywhere lie went a feeling of optimism and an expectation of better. prices for wool and wheat in the coming season. The opinion had been generally expressed to him, lie said when interviewed yesterday, that Australia, was a. long way behind the Dominion in actual, farming methods. If top-dress-ing was mention to most Australian farmers they tended to laugh at the idea that any such treatment- was necessary. At the same time a large section of them considered that New Zealand methods of feeding and top-dress-ing, and also the. closer settlement of the land, could he followed with advantage.

As a counter to this, Mr Cunningham noted one thing that might be investigated by New Zealand farmers, and that was the use of maize for the winter feeding to sheep. One sheep farmer he had met had wintered 10,COO wethers on maize.

In some of the northern districts there had been a series of very dry seasons—so dry that even the trees had died—hut things promised beter for the coming season. In \ the farming community there was a- far more hopeful outlook than in New Zealand, though, he added, that might, merely be the Australian temperament. This applied also to the cities.

There was a general expectation that wool prices would rise in the coming season. Two -of the factors, concerned in this were that a smaller clip was expected, as well as a smaller lambing. The recent rise in the price of wheat was also looked on as a hopeful sign and one leading sflock and station agent had expressed the oninion that the depression was definitely on' the wane.

“Summed up, the opinion of prominent Australians is that there is no doubt that things are going to be bet-; top.” s-id My Cunningham, in conclusion. “Everything is on the move.”;