EMPIRE FARMERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17978, 25 March 1930, Page 8

EMPIRE FARMERS.

ADDRESS BY LORD BLEDISLOE. VALUE OF CO-OPERATION. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel.—Copyright. WELLINGTON, Monday. The conference of representative farmers from the United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, and New Zealand was addressed by the GovernorGenuerai. Address by Lord Bledisloe* Lord Bledisloe revealed himself as a sympathiser with the rural community in the difficulties of the present depression, and paid a tribute to the courageous manner in which the New Zealand farmer had faced such trouble, lie stressed the value of Hie interchange of thought on farming matters in various parts of the Empire, and also the need of uniformity in marketing the primary products. .Referring lo the subjects lo be discussed at the conference, Lord Bledisloe said on all of them New Zealand was specially entitled lo speak. Success had not been due to occasional excellence or occasional high quality, but to consistent uniformity. New Zealand was entitled to regard herself as a' pioneer in the pastoral industry, which gave something like 944 per cent, of the whole exports from the Dominion. Ills Excellency asked what had become of the pig industry in New Zealand? As an old pig producer, he was intensely interested in the subject, and he hoped to learn that swine husbandry was being developed as an important side of farming. Referring to plant research at Aberystwyth, His Excellency said experience had led the authorities to believe that the soil and climate in certain parts of New Zealand would raise herbage plants for seed purposes to provide possibly all parts of the world with high quality seeds. This might result in the development of healthy business between the agriculturists" of New Zealand and those of Hie Motherland and other British Dominions. He believed that the present tour of farmers lrom all parts of the Empire was likely to he a historical landmark in the history of the Empire. Remits Carried. The conference carried a remit In favour of holding a Within-the-Em-pire Convention in South Africa in 1932. AH harming organisations are to be asked to provide information for that conference under several ingsA motion was carried asking the British Empire Producers’ Organisation in London to urge the consumption of Empire agricultural produce. The conference, after discussion, adopted a motion heartily supporting a proposal for Empire preference. New Zealand Beef Criticised. Mr J. T. Cricllan (Britain) urged the removal of the cattle importation -restrictions. lie said New Zealand herds need fresh blood. Mr W. Perry, chairman of the Board of agriculture, agreed, and said lie believed the hoard favoured opening ports. Mr R. Hornsby (Britain) said he had been disgusted with the quality of New Zealand cattle. The New Zealand herds must be improved. Air Cricllan moved that the conference should express an opinion that the embargo should he removed. Mr Poison: 1 am afraid that I can’t accept that motion, it would have to be worded in much more diplomatic language. Mr T- Currie (Auckland) said it hacl been overlooked that all the bestlands in New Zealand are devoted lo dairying. Mr Dickie, M.P., said the authorities dared not remove the embargo for fear of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Mr C. W. Glossop (England) said with the present precautions there was little chance of infection. Air Duxfield regretted the visitors’ criticism. They hacl hacl insufficient time lo study Hie question. Air Cricllan: The proof of the pudding is in the eating thereof. I haven’t had a decent pieco of beef since I have baen in New Zealand, and the first thing I’m going to have when ! get Home is a piece of Scotch beef.”