RURAL ECONOMICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19719, 9 December 1926, Page 9

RURAL ECONOMICS

FINANCE AND THE FARMER PRODUCTION ALONG SOUND LINDS DEPARTMENT’S PLAN EXPLAINED Phases of rural economics ,leading to the development of farming along sound business lines, -were explained to members of the Wanganui Farmers' Union yesterday by Air E. J. Fawcett, of the Agricultural Department, whicu is endeavouring to improve the economic position of farmers in New Zealand. Mr Fawcett pointed out that the position of farmers was not what they should like. Where a farm was mortgaged above its actual value, there was little they could do. The farmer so placed must ultimately go under, unless another boom came. One of their troubles was that during the boom times finance was too easy to get, and | many farmers undertook to shoulder burdens they were now unable to carry. , Small Farm Country He thought New Zealand’s highest! development as a farming country would be as a country of small farms, and dairying promised to be the greatest force in the country’s farming industry of the future. The Department could not carry on its proposed study of rural economic features without the co-operation of farmers .and they asked that information bo sent to the Department, showing how farmers on different classes and areas of land were progressing. If such information was forwarded, the Department would treat it as strictly confidential. They were anxious to get the most reliable information possible, in order to make their survey of utmost value. They wanted to ascertain what factors and influences were bearing on the position of farmers. They knew that the farmers were not, as a whole, in a very happy and flourishing condition. It was nol much use fighting for reforms unless they could prove, in black and white, what tho causes were. Compilation of Statistics To Afr A. Robinson’s Suggestion that (he schedule forwarded to farmers by the Department, in its search for information, was too complicated, Afr Fawcett replied that the Department would gladly assist farmers to furnish tho information. It would then bo found that the schedule was more simple than it looked. He agreed that there were elements, such as luck and climate, fluctuating prices, and the personal equation, that were difficult to assess. The object was to gain information about the different farming groups. Air W. Howie asked what information the Department could adduce from the operations of dealer-farmers, of which there were many in this district. Air Fawcett said that was a very specialised typo of farming ,and was common in tho better class of country throughout New Zealand. It formed a subject for interesting study. Afr W. Aforrison said the value of the Department’s investigations would He in the fact that it would prove that farming in New Zealand, under present, conditions, was not a payable proposition. ♦ Mr Fawcett: It is largely a question a.s to whether or not tho farmer is content to go along making 30s a wpak. and not paying interest on the capital invested in his property. (Hoar, hear). Mr ' Fawcett was thanked for his address, and it was decided that members of the Farmers’ Union bo asked to facilitate his investigations.