VICTORIAN FARMERS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 103, 25 January 1933, Page 10

VICTORIAN FARMERS

Visitors’ Impressions on New Zealand BRIEF WELLINGTON STAY Agricultural methods in the Dominion have proved a source of interest to the party of Victorian farmers at present making a two weeks’ tour of New Zealand. Most of the party, which totals 77 members, arrived at Wellington by the ferry steamer from Lyttelton yesterday, and after a morning motor trip around the waterfront drive and to other points of interest, including a visit to the City Council Milk Depot, left for Palmerston North by the Main Trunk express in the early afternoon. <■ The tour was arranged by the Bendigo Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Society, in collaboration with the New Zealand Department of Tourist and Publicity. For the past four or five years this society lias arranged tours through Victoria, but the present is the first occasion on which a tour has been made overseas. The objects of the tour as set out in the itinerary are comprehensive. They are: To study pastoral and agricultural development; to view and survey efficient farm management and marketing organisations; to meet as opportunity offers representatives of kindred associatious with the same interests, exchange ideas, compare conditions and methods with a view to mutual benefit; and to cement the bond of Empire relationship between sister Dominions and agricultural organisations in particular. Mr. R. W. Marshall, an official of the Department of Tourists and Publicity, is touring with the party. The leader is Mr. A. J. Anderson, sheepfarmer, of Calivil, who is a member of the Victorian Council of Education. Mr. E. G. Ham, M.8.E., secretary of the Bendigo Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Society, is secretary of the tour. Many Interests Represented. Although farmers predominate in the party many other interests are represented. The personnel includes two doctors, a chemist, teachers, a contractor, investor, manufacturer, stockagent, banker, inspector of schools, an importer, a secretary, a butcher, farrier, newsagent, the manager of a butter factory, and the manager of a bacon factory. In the party there are also 26 women. Irrespective of occupation, however,' all are keen to learn. The trip Is a hurried one, and the itinerary comprehensive, but the tourists state they have seen a good deal that is new and that they have been greatly impressed with the potentialities of the Diominion. One feature of New Zealand life that has appealed to them is the number of large inland towns. This, they point out. is a striking contrast to Australia, where the population is concentrated more in the cities.

Mr. W. G. Pogue, a farmer and grazier, of Toolamba, discussed with a "Dominion” representative the contrast between conditions in New Zealand and Australia. Drought conditions, he said, appeared to be practically unknown in the Dominion, and it was evident that rain was well spread throughout the year. In Australia, where his place was situated, they might not have droughts, but from early summer till late autumn the pastures were dormant. Ideal for Dairying. The Taranaki country appeared ideal for dairying and fat lamb raising, he thought- Every inch in that district seemed to be highly productive. His own place at Toolamba was In an irrigation area. From the national point of view irrigation .was an asset, but the individual who derived the benefit had to pay for it Rating was by means of a compulsory charge on all land under the water level, and it amounted to about 2/- per acre. One member of the party who has been prominently associated with agricultural advance in Northern Victoria for a number of years is Mr. JI. E. O’Brien, of 'Bendigo. He is intimately connected with rural education in schools and is organiser for that branch of the Department of Agriculture’s work in Northern Victoria. Mr. O’Brien is also an ex-Mayor of Bendigo, and is at present a councillor of the Bendigo corporation. He is agricultural contributor to the “Bendigo Advertiser,” for which journal he is writing an account of the trip. Youths and the Land. Instead of taking yesterday morning’s trip Mr. O’Brien spent the time in consultation with the Director of Education, Mr. T. B. Strong, and the Director-General of Agriculture, Dr. C. J. Reakes. He said subsequently that he was very impressed with the efforts being made in New Zealand to persuade youths to take up careers on the land. Included in the party is Mr. A. Browning, of Yarrawonga, Victoria, Duuing the past seven years he has sent 19 consignments of lamb Home to the •Smithfield market, and every consignment has topped the market at an average of about 2d, a lb. higher than the remainder of the Australian lamb. He has been breeding from 100 per cent, selected Southdown rams of the blocky type.