POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3992, 3 September 1929, Page 4

POLITICAL.

ME. LINKLATER’S views on SEVERAL TOPICS.

Speaking in the House of Representatives last week, Mr. J. Linklater, M.P.j referred to the remarks of a previous speaker on the War Funds Council. He said: “I cannot allow the slighting reference to the War Funds Council to go without remark. That Council has among its number returned soldiers, and it has done wonderful work for New Zealand. It considers every case on its merits, and does excellent service. It is quite true that the Council has a large balance of funds still in hand; but we all realise that there are many demands on those funds, and there are also very many recurring cases. The members lof the Council give their sendee free. I was surprised to hear the references to the men who are doing so much for the returned soldiers.

Referring to farming problems Mr. Linklater said:

“Scientific research is helping very much in this direction, and the erection of the Massey Agricultural College has been of great help to the farmers, particularly those in the Noirth Island. At the present time there are 172 students at the College taking seasonal courses. For two months during the winter the College is open to the boys [of ( tlie farmers who are willing to study scientific methods, and that provision is being taken advantage of. Quite apart from the degrees of the New Zealand University there is the degree course and the diploma course in dairying, manufacture, sheep-fanning, dairyfanning, herd-testing, and woolclassing. I do not intend to go into details to-night in connection with the Massey Agricultural College, but I would point out that the fact of the research work and practical work being carried on together is of great help to the farmers of this country. In spite of what has been said in this House in regard to production, thqre is no doubt that New Zealand is dependent on production from the land. If prices fall or crops fail there is a depression throughout New Zealand. Therefore, anything that will aid production should be welcomed. The electorate that I represent looks to dairying in the main for its existence, and during the last season the production in the district has been wonderful. Right throughout New Zealand we have had an increase in production. In butter the increase w T as 81,656 tons, which represents an increase of 9.26 per cent, of the whole, and 86,605 tons of cheese, an increase of 14.32 per cent., representing 24.32 per cent. Two of the greatest factors making for increased output have been topdressing and herd-testing. Topdressing, if scientifically applied, undoubtedly inclreases the carrying cajmcity of our pastures, and very often produces two blades of grass where there was only one. Herdtesting, I need not delay the House to explain, but by its development w T e can easily add to the production of our country. Most farmers realise the value of these tests because, in very many instances, they have revealed in dairy herds animals that were not producing half as much as the best in the herds. The late government gave a subsidy towards this work and I trust that the present Government will also encourage it. A few figures will demonstrate the great expansion that has taken place in the export of our butter and cheese to the United Kingdom since 1913, a year I have selected because it was not disturbed by the (war. In 1913, 25,000 cwts. were exported to the Old Country. ’ In 1928, the quantity exported to [Britain was 1,500,000 cuds. —five times.as much as in 1913. The value of the quantity exported in 1913 was £1,350,000, and the value of the quantity exported in 1928 was £10,274,000, or nearly eight times as much. In this connection it is interesting to note the figures relating to Denmark. In 1913 Denmark exported to Great Britain 1,800,009 cwts., and in 1928, 2,000,000 cwts., being an increase of only 200,000 in that period. I think New Zealand’s remarkable inojoease is an effective answer to those who declare that our produce is falling off in quality. The consumer is surely the best judge, and the figures I have quoted surely indicate that our produce is improving in quality. In regard to the expojrt of cheese, Canada is the country we must consider, and here we find that her exportation to the Old Country is decreasing, whereas the value of New Zealand cheese exported to Great Britain has increased in value fjrom £1,900,000 in 1913 to £7,600,000 in 1928. These are striking figures that cleaa-ly indicate that we are producing in increasing quantities although it is said that the land population is less than it was. And not only have our butter and cheese exports increased, but so also have our exports of sheep, lambs, and beef. One of the greatest aids to production has been the introduction of electricity to the country districts. It has been said there is not much difference between the Reform and United Parties so far as loan expenditure is concerned, but. a great deal of the money expended by the Reform Government if> of a reproductive character, and I think it will be agreed that some of the proposals of the present Government cannot in any way be classed qs reproductive work., The prosecution of our great hydroelectric undertaking has been in the interests of the whole country, more particularly in popularising life. To-day a nfan living in the country, thanks to electricity, radio, telephone and good roads, has

all the advantages of town life without its disadvantages. I live in the country, and I much prefer my situation to that of a town dweller. One disadvantage we suffer is that the charges for electric power are greater than they should be owing to the fact that Palmerston is in the ManawatuOroua area, and it refuses to come under the control of the Board. There is no power under the Act to compel it to do so, although it is part of the area and is liable to be rated if a rate is struck. The position is that power can be reticulated very much easier in the Borough, and the Power Board is left to reticulate the sparsely populated district in the-outer area, ■although we have a very closely populated area round the town. This is not the only example of that kind I could quote —I understand Invercargill, and otliejr places, are in a similar position. It appears to me that an amendment to the Act is necessary. I know the Minister of Public Works realises the position, and I hope that before long he will bring down the necessary amendment.