SOUTHERN FARMERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 201, 11 June 1929, Page 2

SOUTHERN FARMERS

WELCOME AT WELLINGTON.

MINISTER AND WHEAT-GROWING

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 10. The North Island tour of the Canterbury and Westland farmers came to an end in Wellington. The majority of the visitors returned in the evening by the southern ferry steamer. Wellington weather was dull, with some rain, though this was worst when the visitors were in the shelter of the Tbwni Hall, where they were tendered ia cordial reception on behalf of the municipality. • A large number of Wellington business men joined the Mayor and councillors in greeting the southern visitors.

Mr G. A. Troup, the Mayor, in extending a welcome on behalf of the citizens of'Wellington, stressed the importance of the farmer’s work in the community. He said there were three realities in life from which man could not escape—the earth, the sea and the sky—and the farmer lived very near to two of them. The closer one got to Nature the more natural one became, for Nature had always been man’s greatest teacher. Whatever might be the case with regard to other parts of New Zealand, Wellington had a warm spot for the South Island. The advancement.of the South meant progress and prosperity. Co-operation between town and country was essential if New Zealand was to advance. He regretted that the farmers’ stay in Wellington was short, but hoped that other parties would visit the city in the future. Minister’s Greetings.

Speaking on behalf of the Government, the Hon. E. A. Ransom (Minister of Public Works) welcomed the visitors and apologised for the absence of the Prime Minister. Mr Ransom said he appreciated what had been done by the Railway Department in making it possible for the farmers to undertake the tour. The farmers would realise what the railways meant to the Dominion. There was danger in these times of quick, economical travel to overlook what the railway system meant to the development of -New Zealand.. The Minister said he did not want to discourse on the railway system generally, but he could not allow the opportunity to pass to impress on farmers' the giving of all possible assistance to the railway system, which belonged to themselves. Mr Ransom referred to his recent tour through Neiv Zealand, and gave his impressions of the districts which he had visited in Canterbury. He realised what it meant that farmers should have a fair opportunity given them in regard to then* cereal production. He spoke of intensive cultivation in Nelson and Mailborough, referring to the growing of tobacco and hops in the former district. He realised what intensive production would be in days to come, families living on a small acreage. He was convinced that we had scarcely touched the fringe of the Dominion’s possibilities as a producing country. A few miles out of Wellington good lands were going to 'W'tistGj lunds thn<t coulci be made wonderfully fertile. The Minister referred to the problem of unemployment. .He said that those out of work and employers could only be brought together by the co-operation of our city friends m findino- the necessary finance to bring them together But give us cheap money so that farmers may be able to employ- the labour on their farms, he said, “and together with the cooperation of the Agricultural Department, which has done wonderful work, and by the assistance of our financial friends I believe the time is not tar distant when we can absorb into the country districts those who have not been able to find employment. lhe Minister referred to the population of ( 400 people to the square nnle m tlie United Kingdom, and pointed out that New Zealand had twelve people to the square mile. Ho looked to the time when secondary industries would be materially increased. If they were increased the primary producers would find a better market in the woild and a better market in their own counW. H. Bennett also welcomed the visitors and referred to the undertaking of the corporation m regard to the fcity milk supply. Replying on behalf of the visitois, Mr C Mclntosh (Canterbury) said he was pleased to hear Mr Ransom mention that he was favourably impressed with the prospects of the cereal industry in the South Island. Ho referred to the wheat marketing scheme m the South Island and said that he hoped that the Government would not interfere with the present sliding scale (laughter), which did not mean that the loaf was going to be one fraction dearer. It did mean that the producer was going to get a fair return and the consumer was not going to suffer.

Visit to Motor Works. The partyi were the guests of General Motors, Ltd., this afternoon, and a particularly interesting time was spent at the big motor-car assembling works in the Hutt Valley. A special train conveyed the party to the company’s works and on arrival each visitor was handed pamphlets describing the operations. The visitors were conducted over the works in groups of 50 and were able to gain an excellent idea of what is being done. Afterwards they were taken in buses to the Petone Picture Theatre, where an interesting film dealing with the development of motor transport was screened. Following this the whole party were the guests of General Motors at afternoon tea. The outing was a most enjoyablo one, and much interesting knowledge of the motor industry was gained. Before leaving Petone the opportunity was taken to make presentations to the railway officers who have been responsible for the success of the tour. Mr Colin Mclntosh presented a pipe and case to Mr F. Pawson, Canterbury business agent, and Mrs A. M. Carpenter, of Fernside, asked Mr Pawson to accept on behalf of Mrs Pawson a Westminster chiming clock as a token of appreciation from the ladies in the party. Mr It. Fisher, representing ti e West Coasters in the par tv, presented Mr A. McNeill, Wellington railway business agent, with a sil/er cigarette case. The proceedings were most enthusiastic, the presentations being accompanied by cheering. Before returning to the' train, Mr A. Fisher, of Culverden, voiced the thanks of all to General Motors, Ltd., for their kindness and courtesy to the party. To-night the party left for Lyttelton by: the ferry steamer.