DIVERSIFIED PRODUCTION

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 297, 12 September 1934, Page 8

DIVERSIFIED PRODUCTION

Just as England may if wishes compete equally with the new countries by replacing small holdings with “factory farms,” so New Zealand may meet the depression in prices, and the contraction of markets, for her principal farm exports by turning up some of the 'by-paths of production. It is now clearly demoftstrated, says the Department of Industries and Commerce in its annual report to Parliament, “that New Zealand has placed too much reliance upon a few main classes of exportable commodities”: in more homely language, has put all her eggs in one basket. Diversification —fine, mouth-filling word,! —is what our farmers are now exhorted to practise, “for theextension,” explains the department, “of present overseas markets.” And also for the opening of new markets, both overseas and domestic. Let us become pioneers again, and aim at developing new trades, if possible at creating new demands. That can be done with foodstuffs by tickling the consumer’s palate. JHe may not want any more cheese or butter, for example; but cheese and butter by no means exhaust the uses to which milk may be put. If one'of the uses undiscovered, or unexploited, should happen to strike a fancy, there would be.a new market ready-made. Moreover, the possibilities are far from being limited to milk. ,