Bay of Plenty Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 26th, 1932. LAND SETTLEMENT.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 10827, 26 March 1932, Page 2

Bay of Plenty Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 26th, 1932. LAND SETTLEMENT.

Although prices continue low, it is satisfactory to note how well Britain’s demand for butter has been maintained and, indeed, increased. For the past three mouths, it is reported, total imports show an increase of 289,000 cwt. on the corresponding period of last year, and of 517,000 cwt. compared with the previous year. Consumption has been so good nevertheless, that stocks in store at the beginning of this month were only 40,000 cwt. in excess of those on the same date a year ago and actually 121,500 cwt. less than in 1930. These figures go to support Professor Riddel’s argument that there is no fear of over-production in dairying provided the price and quality are right. He showed that Britain last year imported 80 per cent, more butter than in 1914 and 85 per cent, more than in 19 23, and remarked how butter was supplanting margarine. The figures are really anmzing as showing the response of British consumers to cheaper prices and the opportunities still awaiting exploitation by our producers, especially with the advantage of preference over foreign competitors. Another satisfactory feature is that there is no abnormal surplus to depress demand. The butter is going into consumption, thus ensuring a healthy market. The same applies to most of our produce with the exception of wool where the holding policy of some growers may yet cause prejudicial reactions. The dairying industry is now the main farming activity of the Bay of Plenty and it has made remarkable strides in the last ten years. The encouragement that is being given by the Government in the placing of suitable unemployed men and their families on the land is in the right direction. This movement has particular significance for the western portion of Tauranga County, where thousands of acres owned by Maoris, the Crown and absentees are lying unproductive. Much of this land is within a few miles of a railway station and generally speaking, is well served by the electricity, telephone and cream lorry services. In no sense can it be termed back-blocks country. Certainly, better roads to make it available for settlement are desirable. The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, has been a strong advocate for the settlement of these idle areas and it is to be hoped that the national finances will permit him to an effort to help new settlers on to these lands. The Tauranga County offers room for hundreds of such settlers of the right type, and it is to land settlement that New Zealand must look in solving the serious unemployment problem which now confronts us.