MUCH IMPRESSED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 10

MUCH IMPRESSED.

NEW ZEALAND TOUR. AUSTRALIAN VISITORS. PRAISE FOR FARMING. Much impressed with the different aspects of New Zealand life which they have seen so far, the party of 2S Australians who have been conducting an inspection tour of Dominion industries reached Auckland this afternoon. They arrived at Bluff on February 16 and have been working their way gradually north ever since. They leave Auckland on Thursday and will finally depart from Wellington on March 16 by the Wanganella.

Mr. R. B. Ranken, chairman of the party, said this morning that he had been interested in the intense culture of pastures in New Zealand. The fat lamb industry as conducted here was ahead of that in the Commonwealth, and owing to climatic conditions, in which a heavy rainfall was an important factor, it was hard for Australia to compete. Another point that had interested him was the close proximity of most properties to freezing works, which seemed to be more centralised than in Australia.

"New Zealand," he continued, "has specialised in grade cattle of proved producing strains, and the party has been impressed with the carrying capacity of New Zealand farms. This seems to be due to artificial pastures, top-dressing, and to the rotation of grazing. We have seen some wonderful Hereford cattle, particularly near Invercargill and Wanganui. They are the equal of cattle anywhere. New Zealand has obviously done much to breed stock to meet the requirements of markets overseas. It seems that the Romney Marsh-South-down cross has bred the best lamb carcases."

Good Hotel Accommodation. The comment of Mr. Rankcn on hotel accommodation was of interest in view of recent criticisms. The party, he said, had nothing but praise for the hotels in' which they had stayed, and since the number was ten, he felt he had had the opportunity of judging. The service provided was aiso good, and both accommodation and service compared very well with what was provided in Australia.

New Zealand's scenery he described as an "unexplorable asset, unusual and magnificent." It varied from lake, glacier and mountain in the South Island, to the thermal regions in the North. He said that these regions must become, with the passing of the years, more of a world-wide attraction than ever. The party was still talking this morning about the wonders of the glowworm caves at Waitomo. He was convinced of the value of a tour such as was being undertaken, and he thought that a reciprocal tour by New Zealanders would be worth considering. New Zealanders visiting the Commonwealth could rest assured of an opportunity of meeting the 'real Australian," and see not only how the national resources of the country were being developed, but what individual efforts were being made by the individual to improve cereal crops, pastures and stock.

Members of the party went on a sightseeing tour of the city this aftcrriooii. To-morrow morning they will be tendered a civic reception, while they will be free in the afternoon.