ENGLISH FARMING

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 448, 2 June 1937, Page 2

ENGLISH FARMING

NEW ZEALAND CRITIC Condemns Small Holdings London, May 15. The presence here of a large number of Australian and New Zealand farmers coincides with a revival of the old English controversy: How can we make farming pay? A New Zealander visitor, Mr. Herbert Filmer, has some practical suggestions to offer. He writes to the Press: “May I, as a New Zealander looking at England, make one or two comments on agricultural matters, recently discussed? The family-siz-ed farm in England is wasteful. The smallholding where labour is performed without hired help is a sinful, extravagant and pitiful relie—a legacy from th e bad old dlays. A new generation sprung from the soil is demanding its share of affluence. How are comforts and- decencies to be brought to the rural worker? There is in theory a high fence dividing industry and agriculture. Industry must com e to the farm in the shape of more tractors and machines. Farms must be enlarged to allow’full play for more machinery and machinery and mechanical processes. Amenities will come to the farms or the new race will seek them in the cities. This is one of 'the reasons for a grouping of farms.

“Our need in Britain is not inten-’ eiv e but extensive, cultivation — throw down the dykes and hedges, layout larger fields. Let us think of what a little co-operation could do In buying -and selling. Is there anything more inept than the provincial fat stock market? Where is there another trade with the goods not priced in plain figures? Take eggs, so cheap now, with chicken feed so scarce. Quantity buying of poultry meals would spare the egg producer much of his present dilemma. Farm reform is a national concern. Si- Thomas Inskip promises to postpone short commons by storage. Better would he bend intellect. and energy ao collectivising farms. “Land ownership is the solution to the problem. Estates are breaking up under the thrust of interitance and other taxes, but the tempo is sluggish. Reform should come by Government spurring of land-holding groups When the first few companies have proved themselves -ther e will be penty of money for others. All the wealth of Throgmorton Street is oh tap, and it-will flow just as readily landlords a 6 it now. flows,fa-_.tory. Wiards. The day of ‘rugged individuality’ has passed.”