PROSPEROUS YEAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 199, 1 February 1915, Page 7

PROSPEROUS YEAR.

i FARMERS' OUTLOOK. PRIME MINISTER ANTICIPATES ANOTHER RECORD. In declaring the Horowlienua Show open at Levin on Wednesday the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. P. Masscy), after congratulating the society 1 and farmers of tile district on the excellent display of exhibits, stated that associations of this nature deserve e"ery encouragement. Every exhibition <; stock had its advantages. They were an object lesson, and every farmer, no matter what his farming attainments, learnt something to his advantage by attending a show. PURCHASE OF WHEAT. While congratulating the agriculturists on the abnormal season, he reminded them that in some parts of the Dominion a serious drought had been experienced, but on the whole the season had been good. The export of produce for the year, lie believed, would exceed that of last year, which was a record one for New Zealand. (Applause.) The dry seasou had had a serious effect on the growth of the wheat crops, and it was the first time in the history of New Zealand that wheat lia;l to be imported from other countries for consumption by the people. In his (lJ r - Massey's) opinion the year 1915 would be a more serious one than 1014 as regards the wheat supply, and further importations would have to be made. Farmers found it more profitable to grow something other than wheat. The season had been a wonderfully productive, one, and the export of meat and dairy produce wwild be exceptionally heavy.' SHORTAGE OF STEAMERS . The shipping companies and the Government had great difficulty in keeping up with the demand for fhips, and probably before the season closed there might be a shortage of cargo steamers. Ships were exceedingly scarce on account of the war, but during the last few weeks the Government had specially arranged for the Atlienic. Orari, and Waimana to come back to New Zealand i in ballast. Arrangements had also been made with the Imperial Government, as late as Tuesday, to sanction the release of the Suffolk, and this vessel will proceed to New Zealand from Egypt. WAR PRICcS. It was hoped that the business of the country would be kept going. No doubt good prices had been obtained on account of the war," but producers would be content to accept less for their produce if by so doing it would end the war. While the community was anxious to see hostilities brought to an end it had no desire for the war to cease until it was brought to a successful issue. (Applause.) During the last few weeks there had been a rise in flax, and it was trusted that this important industry would continue to improve. The war had caused a tremendous demand for horses for artillery and remounts. The main expeditionary force took away from New Zealand nearly 4000 horses, and the loss o n the voyage to Egypt only amounted to 1.9 per cent., which must be considered a wonderful result. It was the intention of Parliament to foster the breeding of horses, and the method to be adopted would be made known in due course. Fruit-growing for export was becoming a great industry in New Zealand. There were not many people who knew that last season over 70,000 eases of apples were exported from New Zealand to South America. In a few years not less than one million pounds' worth of apples would be exported from this country each year. RECORD YEAR. Last year the exports from New Zealand amounted to £20,261,447 worth of produce, which constituted a record. This j ear, lie believed, the exports of produce would be greater, and last year's record would be beaten. The prosperity of the country depended upon the agricultural and pastoral industry, and every facility should be,.given the people to go on tlie land. Tlie cream of the young settlers were going away, but most of them would retur u and again settle on the land. The prosperity of the country depended on successful settlement, scientific and up-to-date farming and intense cultivation. (Applause.) )