MARCH OF PROGRESS.

Shannon News, 23 June 1925, Page 3

MARCH OF PROGRESS.

- WHAT THE SLUMP HAS TAUGHT. "IMPORTS MUST NOT EXCEED EXPORTS." With its vast potentialities and the place it occupies in the world markets, New Zealand should, according to the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W..Nosworthy), be capable of producing- all the wheat and its by-products required for consumption in the Dominion. The Minister, when speaking at the \ and P. Smoke Concert last week, advised caution in agricultural administration, but predicted a bright future for the primary industries. The progress that had "been made in the dairy industry, said the Minister, was accurately reflected in the figures of export. During last year, £19,000,000 worth of butter and cheese, £17,000,000 worth of wool, and £12,000,000 worth of mutton and lamb had been sent out of the country, while the dairy exports for this year also had shown an increase as far as they had gone. "This goes to show the steady headway we are making in production," he continued, "and proves that we are holding our own against the competition of the great countries which oppose us. The Government is intent upon assisting the industry as far as possible, and ir, every way, which makes towards its progress.

Pacing the Slump. "It has been said that I have had a hard row to hoe. That is true; for when I became Minister of Agriculture, I found myself almost upon the termination of the commandeer, and with the slump of 1920-21 right upon us, and I felt that in order to do my duty to the late Premier and tnt country, I had to take whatever steps towards retrenchment that were necessary. In doing this, I knew that, in a sense, it was not for the good oi the industry, but, we did not have the money, and had to face the position. And face it we did; and from that day till the present, I have done my best to place the country in a position to fight the competition of Argentina, Siberia and other countries not under the British flag. I now hope that the primary producers will make the most of that which fortune has placed in their hands, to push the industry" along." A Scientific Laboratory. In referring to the establishment of a laboratory for scientific research work, in which he had been interested for some time, Mr Nosworlthy said the Government proposed to spend in the vicinity of £9,000 or £IO,OOO in the establishment of an institution at Wallaceville for this purpose. "It A 3 not before it is wanted, and is long overdue; but I believe it will be a success from every point of view." He had also been able to secure a grant of £IOOO annually for three years to the Taranaki Federated Dairy Farmers to spend on scientific research work.

After a reference to cow testing, the Minister passed on to agricultural education, and said the Board of Agriculture had been reviewing fhe whole question for some months, and a report was expected at an early date. The Government anticipated that agricultural education in New Zealand would involve an annual expenditure of £40,000. This, too, was long overdue, but only a short while of waiting would pass before the desires of the Department would be realised. Mortgages on Rural Holdings. "Another thing that affects the whole of the island," Mr Nosworthy continued, "is the deterioration of our grass lands, and experiments are now being made to bring this land back to its full state of efficiency, and to full producing capacity. I have hopes that, before another year closes, we shall have —weather permitting of course—a sufficiency of wheat to supply the whole of the Dominion's requirements, and ample by-products to supply the needs of the dairy farmer and poultry breeder. I have been againat sending from New Zealand money to buy food for our own requirements, and I believe the Dominion is capable of producing all that is required in this respect. The money could well be used in labour, for in a young country we want to keep everyone employed.

"I am hopeful that the day is not far distant when we will be able to feel that the principal policy upon which the mortgages secured by farmers on rural holdings will he on the table system—when a man raises a mortgage and by the payment half yearly of the interest, and sinking fund over a long period of years, gradually extinguishes his debt. This is one of the greatest things that could happen to the primary producer, and I hope to see the day when this will be accomplished. Not a Ooalter—But Caution!

"I have watched closely what has been going on, and the lesson we learned in 1920-21. when we" found our country blocked with importations, and saw the markets and high prices slip from beneath our feet —■ should not be forgotten. I recognise that imports are necessary, but wo should always strive to keep exports about £5,0(50,000 or £6,000.000 above imports. I am not a 'croaker,' but we do not wish a recurrence of the 1920-21 slump, for upon primary production and our exports we are dependent for our life blood."