The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1920. FRANKLIN PRODUCERS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 568, 21 September 1920, Page 2

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1920. FRANKLIN PRODUCERS.

The claims of a newly-formed local association of produce growers that their loyal union for combined defensive action has become absolutely necessary are worthy of mote than passing notice. If the Pukekohe district has succeeded in making itself in any way remarkable one would lie inclined to say this has been through its excellent field produce, mainly new potatoes and early onions. And that it will continue to be thus widely known, even beyond our North Island, depends much upon the continued success of our surrounding agriculturists. Blessed with a rare combination of soil, site, and climate, there are, perhaps, few such spots in the world, certainly not in New Zealand, where two good crops of potatoes can easily be grown on the same ground in one year--or, to be more accurate, within a period of nine to ten months. This, of CQjirse, applies to a district of several miles' radius centred naturally at Pukekolte, whence large consignments are daily railed throughout the season to all parts of the Island. | Just how much of our local prosperity depends upon the humble potato and onion can be gauged from the continued success of our growers bringing their skill, labour, and capital to work upon but very snvill areas cultivated intensively. Many of these men, no doubt, realise, if the general, public do not, that to their own personal exertions is due the comparatively high value of land in our immediate neighbourhood a value that is certainly neither caused nor sustained by any other kindred industry, such as dairying.

Therefore we welcome anil commend our local producers' attempt to unite in their own defence and interests: and if the effort seen*; somewhat belated, let us attribute past apathy to extreme patience rather than to abounding and overweening

prosperity. Unlike all other food products, potatoes this year seem to be prominently old-fashioned in their conservative prices. The Canterbury growers on whom falls the burden of supplying the major portion of the Dominion with the tVvo most popular vegetables, would seem to have been very unlucky this season just nowpassing. The ban on the export of their produce has not so far been removed in time to meet the Australian market, and, with a restricted demand in this country, it is reported many broad acres must remain undug. Hut, while wholesale prices were thus "Unduly low, distributors and retailers would seem to have fared well, for retail prices have continued so high, that, in considering them, farmers have food for much thought, and at the same time bright object lessons in the need of cooperation on their own part. We trust we are not prematurely betraying a commercial secret when we advise producers to prepare themselves for even higher hurdles in,-the future. For instance, a jump in the auctioneering commission fees to ten per cent, seems imminent, at least in the case of vegetable produce; and to this must he added the lately increased railway freights, with increased handling and delivery charges. The producer must be already painfully aware of the upward tendency of the current prices ofc land, manures, labour, bags, and implements generally; he must now be prepared to recast his book-keeping and sale methods; and if he is to survive the crushing process of the upper and nether stones of the mill, he must harden his heart, or "he ground

exceeding fine." Whether fortunately or not, this is an age of close co-operation, an age of rings, combines, and seemingly it • • selfish unions which flourish in all walks of life, as evident and assertive among the learned and professional classes as in the mercantile marine mil labour worlds. The formation of one combine would appear to give birth to many others, and so the process continues. If it can be shown to us that in such an atmosphere of strife it is hut folly for our producers to expect to benefit by association and mutual help, then would we welcome and appraise the Utopian counsel; but. in its absence, we must aver that it remains true political economy that the prosperity and well-be-ing of the nation depend upon those of the primary producer. For this reason alone, if for no other, we would welcome and encourage our interested * farming readers to help themselves by helping their fellowproducers in their laudable efforts.