FARMER'S YEAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 120, 24 May 1938, Page 8

FARMER'S YEAR.

RESULTS REVIEWED.

PRIME MINISTER SUMS UP.

EXPORT VALUES INCREASE.

(By Telegraph.— Press Association.) \\ ELLIX( ITON, this day. Addressing the annual inter-provincial conference of the Farmers' Union in the central and southern portion of the North Island, the Prime Minister, the lit. Hon. M. J. Savage, reviewed the farming operations of last season.

J here had been, he said, one unfavourable factor. That was the fall in the value of the wool cheque from the record level of the previous season, but apart, from wool the principal farm products exported had increased appreciably in value, and the indications for the remainder of the export year were equally favourable.

For the year ending March 31 hist butter exports, for example, increased 2 per cent in quantity, while the total value increased by just on 13 per cent, the increases being 04,000cwt and £20,0(10,000 respectively. Exports of cheese decreased in quantity bv over 4 per cent, but the value increased by (!'. per cent, the decrease being 74.000cwt, but the increased value £300,000.

Frozen lamb showed an increase in quantity and value of 0 per cent and 1 I per cent respectively, the increases being I.3(J,ooocwt and £9.>0,000. Frozen mutton export quantities and value increased by 10 per cent and 14 per eent, respectively, the figures being 87,000cwt and £224,000.

Reducing Costs. Referring to the Government's desire to keep costs down, he said they must not lose sight of the fact that one man's costs were another man's income. Cutting wages had been tried, and they knew the result, but at the same time they must not spill money. However, wage cutting was not the best way of increasing incomes.

Mr. Savage referred to the setbacks experienced by farmers recently through drought, facial eczenia and the Hawke's Bay floods. The Government had rendered assistance. In the Hawke's Bay floods the farmers were helped by way of a loan and direct assistance, and some had been paid to work on their own farms clearing up and bringing the properties into production. The Government thought it better to help the farmer who knew his business rather than put somebody on the farm who knew nothing about farming.

Facial eczema wart also receiving the earnest attention of the Government, and all steps were being taken, and further necessary steps would be taken to combat the scourge.