INCREASING PRODUCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1921, Page 7

INCREASING PRODUCTION.

TARATA - PURANGI SETTLERS’ 1 •.* ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL SOCIAL AND PRIZE-GIVING. The necessity for increased production in a country so essentially devoted to primary products has been stressed time and again, but never was this more necessary than at present, wlen production is so urgently required to enable the Dogiinion to meet her heavy financial obligations. Any move to encourage increased production deserves support, and nothing tends more to this desired end than the holding of competitions and creating friendly rivalry among the farmers of any district, and the entering of that district into similar competition with other districts. An association with that end in view haa been in existence for some years iu the TarataPurangi district, promoting root-growing coon-, petitions, with distinct success. On Friday nigtt the annual social and prize-giving ceremony was held in the Tarata Hall, - when Mr. F. M. Standish presided over a good at-, tendance, despite the adverse weather conditions. Among those present were: Messrs. R. Masters, M.P., and A. Corkill, chairman of the Inglewood County Council. An apolbgy was received from the Mayor of Inglewood., After the usual loyal toast had been duly honored, • “The Army and Navy" was proposed by Mr. Waite, .and responded to by Messrs. Blackburne and Williams.

‘'Parliament of New Zealand" was proposed by Mr. O. M. Boldt, and responded to by Mr. R. Masters, M.P., who expressed his appreciation of the reception accorded to him that evening, and on the occasion of his visit during the election campaign. Parliament, he pointed out, was merely the voice of the people, and he considered that the present Parliament was conscientiously imbued with the idea of working in the best interests of the people. They were passing through strenuous tfanes, and no one knew It more ttan those engaged, in mixed farming. He believed, while not being a pessimist, that they were in for worse times during the next twelve months. He showed that there was likely to be a tremendous drop in revenue this year, as compared with last year, where Customs showd an increase of 8% millions more than the previous year, due to over-importations. Income tax showed an increase of million, but with the lower prices ruling for primary products, they would: be lucky if this came up to normal. Stamp duty also showed an Increase of £610,000. Even if the revenue for these three items was equal to a 1 normal year, which he dobuled, it would mean a decrease of £6,000,000. He therefore stressed the necessity for exercising thrift, which had not always been exercised in the past. It was necessary that all should work together to make New Zealand tte best country in the world, and Taranaki the gem of that country. By encouraging increased production to meet the heavy obligations of the country, the association was doing good work. Half the breeding of the cattle was in the feeding, and by encouraging friendly rivalry in the growing of root crops they were assisting in increasing production. CROP COMPETITIONS.

The chairman, in presenting the prizes, said that there was no doubt that the association had done well this year. If their third crop had been slightly better the district would have won the Taranaki Agricultural Society's prize. As it was, the district had produced tlie heaviest crop. It spoke well for the district that it could produce turnips and swedes like it had, tte three heaviest crops averaging over 49 tons. He expressed the hope that the successful competitors would let them know the conditions under which the crops had been grown, as one of the main objects of the association was to enable all members to use the best methods in increasing producROOT COMPETITIONS. The priie winners were as follows: H. Waite.—Cup for heaviest crop, 55 tons scwt. 301b5.; also second prize for average crop (Borthwick’s prize, quarter ton of manure). A. Corkill.—Gold medal for second heaviest crop, 50 tons 9cwt. 321b5.; also Farmers' Coop. prize of £3 3s and £1 for third average crop. H- Blackburn.—Third heaviest crop, 43 tons lewt. 481b5., case of pipes; also Newton King's prize of £3 3s. xJ. Crowis.—First prize for best average crop; Eclipse Company’s half ton of manure, and Gaustad and Marlow's £2 2s for crop grown with Webb's seeds, 39 tons 17 cwt. 161bE. H Lambert.—Best crop with Sutton's secus; 33 tons J 3 cwt. 161bs; Webster Bros.' £2 2s W. Topp ng.—N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.'s half-ton of manure. HERD COMPETITIONS. Tarata Dairy Company's gold medal for best returns from herd of from 10 to 25 cows.— Mr. Tainui. Settlers' Association's gold medal for returns from herds of 25 cows and upwards.— F. W. Webb (New Plymouth). A PRESENTATION. The chairman also made a presentat'.on of a case of carvers to Mr. H. Lambert, who had acted as judge for the past year or two, and had the confidence of all tte settlers throughout the district. (Applause). Mr. Hills then proposed the health of the successful competitors, which was honored enthusiastically. Mr. Waite, in responding, considered that one of the finest things a district could do was to encourage production in every possible way. Close settlement was the only way to get the country out of its present financial difficulty, and the Government should encourage farmers to greater production by giving them cheap manures and fertilisers. They must aim at greater production. But for dairying the country would be in a worse position. It was, however, necessary to produce more for the cattle, and the association had done wonders Ln inducing the farmers to produce fu'.d more blari-ly, so enabling them to cv;ry more stock. He considered the district fortunate in, having such an association.

His method had been to plough early and allow the ground tp lay well up to the frost before it was made use of, and to work it well. 1 He had used slightly over 2cwt. of Ephos to the acre on maiden ground, and used lOoz. of parton’s Superlative seed. Mr. A. Corkill congratulated Mr. Waite on his win. Such an association would help greatly in the matter of production and more production, and for that reason deserved everyone’s support. Tarata was not well known on account of its Isolation, but could grow swedes with any part of the Dominion. Toko and Tarata had given the lead to Taranaki in these root-growing competitions, and now other parts were talcing them up. He promised the society a handsome donation for next year. Mr. H. Blackburn stated that he used less than 2cwt. of manure In maiden ground. He endorsed the remarks re early ploughing. He impressed on Mr Masters the necessity for getting, lower freights on lime and manures. The district required lime, which had to be brought from Napier, and was very expensive when it reached its destination. He promised a donation of £3 3s to give an extra prize next year. Mr. Corkill said that there was 30 acres - f .n his crop. Half was new ground and half was second crop. He used half slag and half epl-os, 251bs to the acre. He used a pound of seed to the acre. Mr. Crowe said that he grew turnips for the sake of renewing pastures, considering this an excellent way. He had used half Sterling manure and half Ephos. The latter, he believed, would be a auccess as top-dressing for pastures. Mr. Lambert stated that there were three things to consider in growing turnips, viz., to plough the ground, at t±e right.time, to work it well, and not. to use too much seed. He considered there were many crops spoilt in Tarata through sowing too heavily. He had used 6 to Toz of Caledonian seed, and was a strong advocate of their sowing. Mr. W. Topping also responded, and made a donation to the prize list. The toast. “Local Bodies,” was proposed by Mr. Burgess.

In responding, Mr. -A. Corkill stated that he was not altogether pleased or satisfied with the year’s working, but that was due to circumstances outside the council's control. He outlined tte difficulties that had attended the formation of the county, and stated that their financial position was as sound as that of any other county in the North Island. He expressed publicly,his thanks to Mr. Masters for the assistance he had given in matters of interest to the district on every occasion. Mr. Corkill also briefly touched on the difficulties in conection with the adjustment of accounts .Witts the Taranaki County Council, and stated that he hoped later io come out and discus® county matters with them.

Mr. Topping, riding representative of the Inglewood County, stated that as practically all the councillors had had backblocks experience, the backblocks could rely on getting a fair I deal. The state of the roads at present were largely due to the neglect of the previous counties that controlled them. Regarding the trouble that had taken place in the council, he complimented the chairman for the stand he had taken and those members that backed him up.

Other toasts were: “Returned Soldiers," proposed by Mr. Simmons and responded to by Messrs. Elilott and Burr; “The Visitors," proposed by the chairman, who stated that one of the aims of the association was to advertise the district and its productiveness, and that they had succeeded was evidenced from the number of visitors. MeSrss R. L. Cutfleld (Newton King), and R. Mcßae (Taranaki Fawners’ Meat Co.) responded, the former promising a donation next year of £5 5s on behalf of the firm, and the latter a ton of manure on behalf of the firm and £1 Is on behalf of himself.

"Dairymen and Graziers” was proposed by Mr. W. Marshall and responded to by Messrs. Higgins and Blackburn. “The Ladies,' proposed by Mr. G. Burr and responded to by Messrs. A. Corkill and H. Lambert.

“The Press,” proposed by Mr. Simmons and responded to by the representative of the Dally News, and "The Chairman/ enthusiastically honored and responded to, concluded the gathering. During the evening an excellent musical programme was rendered. Mr. R. Mcßae, who proved a host in himself, rendered a number of songs, step-dances, and musical cockologles, all being encored. Messrs. Williamson, D. Patterson, L. Bishop, and H. Lambert, among others, rendered recitations and songsj which were highly appreciated.