AGRICULTURAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1318, 24 March 1885, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sjb,—ln taking a general view of the present financial aspect ami future prospects of our extensive and productive district, the question naturally tires in the mind, (( What are our resources or ** Whence must come the returns for the

support of the whole population of South Canterbury 1” After careful consideration the on*y answer that can be given is, “ The products of the soil, in a combined agricultural and pastoral sense, each assisted by the developement of industries best suited for the profitable conversion of those products into marketable wares for the world's consumption.” The next questions worth everyone’s consideration are : “ How far has this been carried out 1” and ‘‘What remains to be done 1” I must here express my opinion (although doubtless many will differ from me), that the pastoral has far outstripped the agricultural in energy and general advance. Under circumstances anything but profitable, or even encouraging, our flock-owners have steadily fought, inch by inch' (despite serious losses) for the developement of an invention, by which our unsurpassed mutton (I shall be able to say the same of beef when our farmers enter into the spirit of it more fully) can be placed on the tables of our British peer, artisan, and labourer, 'at a price remunerative to the feeder and grateful to the palates and pockets of the consumers. Doubtless much has yet to be done, which will render tha undertaking more remunerative, but every praise is due to those who have been instrumental in establishing a branch of commerce which will, at least for many years, contribute largely to the prosperity of all the Australasian colonies, but more especially to New Zealand, favoured by climate. Our district has much to congratulate itself on in the prospect of refrigerating works soon being within easy reach of all. Our wool has always been a most important item of export but it is still more gratifying to see the steadily increasing number of factories ; which are getting established for its manufacture into various staples—the machinery for which has been imported at a considerable annual cost—and which are now produced by the profitable employment of a few of our young population. The rapid numerical increase of the British New Zealander will necessitate the establishment of eveiy kind of manufactory by which the products of the soil can be converted into more profitable and marketable ware, decreasing the necessity of import, and enabling us to supply our sister colonies with many commodities for the production of which their climates are less or totally unsuited. It is only fair to give the class of farmers, who are tillers of the soil, as well as graziers, all due credit for the starting of factories, by which the dairy produce of the country can be rendered a valuable addition to our exports. Considerable difficulties have had to be contended with in opening profitable markets; and loss, rather than profit, has been the result of first experiments in shipping ; but as all new industries demand an amount of knowledge, which experience alone can teach their energetic promoters, no laxity should be shown, but increased etfoit made to carry so important a poiat to a successful issue. Another important item of industry, which a few energetic men have been striving to bring forward, has met with very cold and apathetic support from pur farmers, who should hail with the warm* est interest any new product which can partially supply the place of wheat. (It must be evident to all that we must no longer look upon wheat as a reliable exportable produce; for many reasons, which will require too much room for explanation now.) The neglected produce to which I allude is European flax which for many years has been proved to yield in this Colony a heavier return of linseed than its growers have experienced in any other country. More recently its fibre- producing capabilities have been tested and found to equal that of any other country. With this basis to start on, a Company was floated to manufacture the straw into fibre and the seed into oil as soon as sufficient seed was grown to justify the purchase of the necessarily expensive machinery. Expecting the warm support of farmers generally, no time was lost in obtaining the necessary plant for the production of the fibre, with choice selections of Russian and Dutch seed to enable intending growers to produce the best quality of crop. The machinery was proved by the previous crop—and at the expense of tha , few who h£}d endeavored to bring this 'industry to light—under numerous disadvantages in the winter time. It was naturally supposed that all would lend an effort to have plenty fpr the machinery to do this year. But, alas, for any reliance on the farmers ! A dozen would more than cover the number of all the shareholders who have grown any. As I said before, all new industries must meet with difficulties and losses, only to be overcome by perseverance and expedience | and doubtless the Directors of this enterprise have bad no bed ot roses. This is no reason why so important an addition to our local products and manufacture should bpallowed to languish | but it should ctii* every tiller of the soil and feeder of stock to co-operative exertion in holding it up, and supplying ourselves and opr neighboring colonists with oil for painting, twines of all kinds, including small rope, and oil-cake which must soon be consumed in considerable quantities, to enable us to keep up the quality of our winter supply of meat for exportation. Since writing the above, I (as a shareholder in the abovementioned “Temuka Linseed Oil, Cake, and Fibre Company”) have received a notice that the general annual meeting of shareholders will be held at 7.30 p.ra. on Wednesday 25th inst., at the Wallingford Hotel,; to receive annual report and j balance sheet, and elect three Directors in the place of Messrs W. fright, E. srown, and J. W. Miles, who retire. I trust that all will meet prepared to give their attention to this important subject, and duly appreciate the efforts of those who have not considered anything too much trouble to further the success of thp undertaking, knowing its future importance in these colonies. One warning may prove servicer able, i.e., “that all shareholders should be guarded against a mischievous flood of scandal, which is being maliciously spread throughout the neighborhood, and intended to dishearten shareholders, and would-be promoters. I will not mention names, but can say this has emanated from men, who were supported last winter by the wpgas they earned from the Company; but whose services have- since been dispensed with.’’ As I have other subjects I should like to touch on, I must retain some for a future issue.—Yours, etc., Examiner.