NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 266, 5 August 1932, Page 10

NOTES OF THE DAY

Less than a fortnight ago South Africa sprang * surprise at Ottawa by declaring her intention of entering the chilled beef business Now she has produced the goods. Her first commercial consignment arrived on the London market yesterday and sold at id per lb. above prices for Argentine chilled beef. There is one point about the consignment that New Zealand producers will note It is described as “good, clean, bright meat.” Apparently it has kept that desirable “bloom" that the New Zealand industry is studying how to retain. Our great handicap is distance. The South African meat was on the hoof on July 11 and sold at Smithfield yesterday—only 24 days later. Thus it competes on practically equal terms with the Argentine article. It cannot be doubted, however, that sooner or later scientific research will enable Australia and New Zealand to overcome the geographical disadvantage and raise their beef from the frozen to the chilled class.

Low commodity prices are having their normal effect of increasing the production of gold. The high price of the money metal has stimulated mining in every country where there are gold deposits. It now pays to work ore and alluvium that a few years ago. woula have -been passed over. The result has been a phenomenal increase in the world’s output of-new gold. The increase was steady from I ♦ onward until last year when it was doubled. Another marked expansion should be recorded in the current year. New Zealanc[is play'ng her part in the movement. In the first six months of 1932 of gold valued at £485,880 was exported, against 65,7450 z. valued at £269,436 in the corresponding period of last year. Here is a sma” but welcome offset to the. decline in value of almost all other exports. Not only that, but gold-mining is providing profitable occupation for many men who would otherwise be added to the register of unemployed.

Although the land offers the largest single outlet for New Zealand youth, it would be a mistake to concentrate too much on farmins in seeking to place boys. As matters stand at present less than one in four of New Zealand workers are engaged on the land. The pro portion has been decreasing in recent years although production has increased amazingly.' That means that with modern methods and better tools less man-power need be devoted to primary production, and more can be used in producing those secondary commodities and services which make up what is called-civilised life. Yet it cannot he doubted —a tour through any farming district would convince—that the land is under-manned. New Zealand is still far from harnessing the full productive power of her soils. Mr. S. G. Smith, as juvenile unemployment officer, is therefore right in placing the emphasis on development of the primary industry. If farming occupations increase, all other employment will increase, possibly in the ratio of one and .three at present obtaining in New Zealand. In short, the Dominion must build, from the ground up.

An adventure in faith that has been splendidly justified is the enterprise undertaken by the Wellington Children’s Health _ Camp Association. With no funds and no endowment, and actually in debt, the association opened its first camp at Otaki. That showed great courage and trust in community goodwill at a time when there are so many calls on public generosity. It is a wonderful compliment to the good heart of the people of Otaki and Wellington that the association has been able to carry on. No doubt the nature of the cause was the association’s best asset. Everyone who could would wish to help little children whose lives ran the risk of being stunted from lack of proper nutriment or unsuitable environment. Those who helped will be repaid by the assurance of the Mayor that “there were definite proofs of the benefits of the care and treatment the camp afforded.” Mr. Hislop said the results of a four weeks’ course were “simply astounding,” showing what could be done with care and good food under healthy, well-ordered conditions. It may be hoped that the public response will not only keep up but increase, so that the association may realise its objective of taking in 100 children a week, keeping the camp open the year rounds