TIME OF DEPRESSION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 137, 22 March 1930, Page 3

TIME OF DEPRESSION

BRITISH AGRICULTURE.

LORD BLEDISLQE EXPLAINS.

(Special to the “Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, March 21

While agreeing that fanning pursuits had occupied a very large part of his somewhat busy life, Ins Excel - lenev the Governor-General, replying to ,the welcome extended to lum m the Town Hall last night, said he had not come to New Zealand to pose as an expert, but rather in the hope that he would learn something. “Reference has been made on more than one occasion, and it has certainh been made to-night,” said Ins Lxcellencv, “to my association with the farming industry in the Mother Land. [ want, ladies and gentlemen, tomake it perfectly clear to you that altnough amid a large number of industrial activities as well as Parliamentary activities, agriculture and animal husbandly have formed no small part, I do not come to this couhtrvi rich m fertile lands and agricultural knowledge and experience with the idea that I am gobur to teach anybody on the land anythm". Still less do I come here as what‘is sometimes described as a P 1 1": rlit I come here to learn. Aiti i all the conditions hero differ from the conditions at Home. They differ m , °«e respect: the farmers here, although bo mtr farmers they no doubt grumble, enjoy some small measure —of coiirsc 1 dare not exaggerate—ot prosperity I am sorry to say that m the .Old■ Cbm*try farmers are passing through a seriously depressed experience, amt i am sure the farmers throughout New Zealand must feel sympathy foi then fellow-agriculturists on the othei side of the world. • “Agriculture is the leading industaj of every great country, and I say tliat with no hesitation in an urban community such as this. As was pointed out at the International Economic Congress at Geneva in 1927, it is to the advantage of the world at anc to everv country m the world that thej should recognise what was described as the essential inter-dependence of the agricultural industry and commerce. A very great British statesman said some sixtv years ago, r A nation which neglects its agriculture is doomed to decav.’ Here in. Wellington you have a certain number of secondary industries very largely based on the primary industries. I am sure you will agice with me when I suggest that it is in the interests of every growing city, such as Wellington, that vour farmers should be reasonably prosperous.