WARNING TO FARMERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4774, 10 November 1924, Page 4

WARNING TO FARMERS.

INCREASE IN PRODUCTION. PRESENT PRICES MAY NOT HOLD. Alluding to the great part played by primary producers in the prosperity of the country in a speech at the smoke concert of the Wairarapa Pastoral and Agricultural Association the Hon. A. D. McLeod (Minister for Lands) drew attention to the need for further development of land in the Dominion, although it had exported £52,000,000, or 25s ,an acre, for the approximately 40,000,000 acres occupied. This was a wonderful record for only 80 years of settlement, and ,a sterling tribute to the efforts of the earlier settlers. The volume wars not going up as rapidly as it should, continued the Minister. There was evidence of a very much better producing season .this year than last, but. farmers could only appreciably increase ,the volume of the Dominion’s output if they got the necessary finance for, further development of the country already under occupation. He believed that there would be a serious drop in the lambing percentages, averaged all over the Dominion, which would mean 10 per cent, lefes than .the lambing of l,ast year. The exchange rate was not likely to improve, but would, probably remain at 3 per cent, or worse. After discussing the financial situation, and pointing out that the exchange rate was not likely to improve so long as our exports so largely exceeded our imports, the Minister struck a warning note in regard to the future.

“We will be fortunate,” he said, “if this year’s, or even last year’s, prices continue. The opinion of men who have given the matter a lifetime of study is in the opposite direction. Make hay while the sun shines, and get the right side of the mortgage, so that you will not have to think night and day of the little old man that sits on the fence.” (laughter.)