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Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1916, Page 4

XEW ZEALAND'S PROSPERITY. The recent report of the Department of Agriculture relative to the average yield of wheat and oats per acre for the current season should be read with exceptional gratification by Taranaki farmers, owing to the fact that while southern Otago takes pride of place for productivity—wheat 30 busliels and oats 50 bushels to the acre—Taranaki ranks next with 30.07 bushels for wheat and 41.61 bushels for oats. To the farmers of the dominion generally this flattering testimony to Taranaki's grain growing power will come somewhat as a surprise, for the province is known to Anne chiefly for its marvellous grazing returns, as illustrated by the magnitude of the- dairying industry. To be placed second highest on the list for yields per acre of wheat and oats is most satisfactory, for it indicates that the province has not all its eggs in one basket, but wlicn one market is unfavorable, another can be supplied. It is estimated that the dominion's total wheat crop for the season will yield 7,309,020 bushels, as against 0,044,330 bushels last year, while the yield from oats is set down at 12,722,733 bushels, as against 11,430,301 bushels last year. The margin for export of wheat will, however, be only small, but as there has been very little exported since 1911-12 growers will not suffer. Unfortunately the oat crop will, it is considered, fall very far short of the dominion's requirements, so that it may b e expected that in preparation for next season's harvest a much larger area of land will be devoted to cereals in order to make the supplies suffice for the country's requirements and avoid the necessity for importation. It may not be generally known, but New Zealand produces a greater weight of wheat per acre than any other country in the world, and yet we have had to import. This should not be the case when the remedy is so simple. The dominion's prosperity does not depend on the export of cereals, but on her grazing products. Hence we find that the past year's exports of frozen meat were a record. the increased value exceeding a million sterling. Additional proof of the expansion of this industry, especially in the Xorth IslanuV'is afforded by the number of new freezing works established or in process of erection. The outlook for this industry was never brighter- than at present, while after the war there is every probability of additional markets being anxious for supplies, and to be prepared for this every effort should bo made to increase the flocks and herds of the dominion. The increased values and spirited demand for wool have materially added to the wealth of the growers. The export value of 1915 wool is stated ->s being over ten millions sterling—about double that of 190S with less than a third increase in quantity. The report states that the dairy season for 1914-l."i will long be remembered as one in which record prices were obtained for cheese and butter, and Taranaki dairymen have good cause to be thankful for the handsome yield from their produce. Were it not for the fact that these exceptionally high prices are the result of the terrible death struggle that is now casting its shadow over the civilised world there would be unalloyed pleasure a nd gratification, and the fact should impel the people of the dominion to remember that while they are enjoyiiij- unparalleled prosperity there are millions of victims of the war starving and suffering ills almost beyond human en'durance. We need not uoint out the duty of those who have profited by the war—it is too obvious—but we do urge that it shall be performed in a generous and sympathetic manner.