WEALTH FROM LAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 221, 18 September 1930, Page 8

WEALTH FROM LAND.

INCREASED PRODUCTION.

GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE

DOMINION'S RECORD LAST YEAR)

(By Reporter.)

Wednesday.

Due mainly t to iniproved grassland farming practice and better animal hus-

bandry and hygiene, there was a remarkable expansion in 1929-30 in the flocks aiicl herds of New Zealand,, and a substantial'lncrease in production of themain staples or dairy produce,'meat and wool, according-to the annual report of the Department of; Agriculture presented to Parliament to-day.; ; . .

; . . : Yearly Increases* . According to ■ the .annual" report of the Director-General of Agriculture. (Dr, C. J. Reakes), the 1929-30 season was marked by a serious decline in values of . export commodities with a consequent shrinkage of national income. So far as increased production of' the grassland productswool, meat and butterfat —was concerned, the position was exceedingly satisfactory. In the five-year period, 1921-25, the average annual value of grassland products on a standard price basis was £34,026,000; during five years, 1925-30, the average annual . value amounted to £41,450,000. The amount of yearly increase for 1929-30 was £11,874,000. In no period of New Zealand's history had production increased to the extent that was taking place at the present time. r: , •

The value of dairy produce exports represented £18.842,994 o.ut of $ total oxport of £49,045.817. -The.. quality of New'"' Zealand butter had been maintained or improved. Cheese quality had •been less favourably reported upon, due to: unfavourable market conditions, extensive diversion in the North Island from the manufacture' of . full-cream cheese, and endeavours in some cases to ensure yield rather than high qualityl •Tbe : general unfavoiu-ablc economic conditions, -and larger supplies of butter front -a- number of countries,. had prevented the New Zealand 'dairyman from increasing his income. '"The larger production, however, would ,, ' be helpful •in offsetting the -shortage due to fall in prices,- although the net balance'to the Dominion' showed a reduction of £2,000,000. " j ■-■■.'