VISITING FARMERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 907, 26 February 1930, Page 7

VISITING FARMERS

WARM WELCOME EXTENDED LUNCHEON ON MT. EDEN Tlie party of British and South African farmers, numbering in all about SO, were entertained at a luncheon yesterday afternoon in the Mount Eden Tea Kiosk by the Auckland executive of the Farmers’ Union and the Farmers’ Trading Company. Mr. A. A. Ross, Auckland provincial president of the Farmers’ Union, who presided, extended a warm welcome on behalf of farmers of the province. “It might be thought,” said Mr. Ross, “that New Zealand farmers are in competition with their British brethren, as both sell on the same market. This is not so, however. The more food and raw materials we both produce, the greater impetus to manufacture.” The chairman concluded with the wish that the visitors’ stay would be a pleasant one. Mr. J. Boddie, chairman of directors of the Farmers’ Trading Company, also welcomed the touring parties. On behalf of Auckland City the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, in welcoming the visitors, said Auckland was the youngest child of the Empire, but its citizens were proud of their city. “When I say that it has grown in little over the span of years representing my life-time, it will be apparent that citizens today owe a great debt of gratitude to the early settlers, who have done so much for New Zealand,” said his Worship. UNIQUE GATHERING

The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, speaking for the Government, said the occasion appeared to be unique in that it drew together at one gathering in New Zealand, representatives of Britain and South Africa. From the visitors New .Zealand farmers hoped to obtain helpful assistance. The Dominion was not satisfied to remain behind any part of the Empire in production. New Zealand farmers realised that they were entirely dependent on the goodwill of Britain for prosperity, but they looked upon her as the mother country and did not fear unfair treatment. “There has been some concern about the Dominion’s immigration policy,” continued Mr. Ransom. “The late Governor-General. Sir Charles Fergusson, has expressed a fear that the country is not taking its full share of responsibility. However, the Dominion is faced with an unemployment problem, with which I personally have much to do officially. It was not an easy matter to cope with this, and at the same time to pursue an immigration policy such as Britain would consider satisfactory. New Zealand still had hopes that it would be possible to arrange an Imperial migration scheme which would meet the needs of the Old Country and the Dominion alike. New Zealand looked forward to the arrival of the new Governor-General. Lord Bledisloe, Mr. Ransom concluded. Its people were pleased to know that he had taken a keen and scientific interest in agriculture. PRIME MINISTER’S WELCOME Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P., president

of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, read a telegram from the Prime Minister. Sir Joseph Ward, welcoming tile visitors and expressing the hope that their tour would be productive of much good. “I hope this visit will be the forerunner of many more of its kind.” said Mr. Poison. The farmers of the Em pire had a great weapon—co-opera-tion—ready forged for their hand. If they agreed as to the wielding of it they could make the farming industry stand four-square. In returning thanks Mr. S. R. Whitley, head of the British party, apologised for being its leader. Lord Bledisloe was to have lead, but circumstances had decreed that he was to spend not live weeks, but five years in New Zealand. Undoubtedly this would be of great advantage to the Dominion. New Zealanders had heard of his attainments in agriculture, but not perhaps of the good fellowship and hard work which had distinguished his life. Lord Bledisloe had told him that there were some special problems which he hoped to “get his teeth into” in New Zealand. Mr. A. V. Allan, on behalf of the South Africans, also returned thanks.