RECORD EXPECTED

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 23, 28 January 1915, Page 3

RECORD EXPECTED

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE OVER TWENTY-SIX MILLIONS THE PEIME MINISTER'S VIEW. SHIPPING FACILITIES. There was a note of optimism regarding the Dominion's exports in the address delivered at the official opening of the Horowhenua Agricultural and Pastoral Show at Levin yesterday afternoon by the Eight Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister. Keviewing the outlook from the agricultural point of view, Mr. Massey said it was true that the past season had been an abnormal one. In some parts of New Zealand very serious droughts had interfered with many important products, but in most places the season had been a good one. Although the droughts in the districts he had referred to had affected the exports, he believed — speaking of the reports for thq_ whole of the Dominion up to 31st December — that a record would be established over the previous year, both in quantity and value. And this in spite of the fact that last year was a record up to that time. The dry season had interfered to a certain extent with the production of cereals, more particularly the growth of wheat. For the first time in the history of New Zealand — at any rate, as far as he could recollect — it had been necessary to import wheat for other than mixing purposes. There had been a" shortage in the past, and, so far as he was able to judge, there would be a more serious shortage in the future, and a larger quantity of wheat Would have to be imported than was the case last year. The farmers conducted their business from a commercial point of view, and had found that it paid them better to raise other products than wheat, but he hoped that in a year or two New Zealand would get back to its former position, and grow enough wheat for its own home consumption. ' LACK OF VESSELS. As to the exports of meat — beef, mutton, lamb — and dairy produce, continued Mr. Massey, the past season had been such a wonderfully productive one that the shipping- 1 companies and the Government.'had'had the greatest difficulty in getting sufficient 6hips to take the produce away. Even now he did not know whether the pinch would not be felt before the season came to an end. As head of the Government and the Department of Agriculture, he had done everything he possibly could to keep up the supply of ships for the export of produce, but ships were exceedingly scarce owing to the war. Many ves«els had been required for transport purposes, but during the last few weeks he had been enabled to make arrangements for the return of the Athenic, Orari, and Waimana — all now in New Zealand waters — to take the produce away. These steamers had been brought back in ballast by special arrangement to carry on the ordinary business of the Dominion. Also he had been able to make arrangements with the Imperial Government — which commandeered the Muritai — by which that vessel would return to New Zealand. Only the previous day he had, in addition, successfully concluded negotiations with the Australian Government for the return of the Suffolk, and by means of these ships it was hoped to be able to keep the business of the country going. The exports of this country were its very lifeblood, and if the business of the Dominion was not kept going very serious results would follow. The Government was justified in getting these troopships and other ships back at the earliest possible moment. VICTORY TO THE ALLIES. Mr. Massey added that at present good prices obtained 'for produce, and for this the war was responsible. He felt sure, however, that the farmers would sooner take lower prices and see the war brought to an end. There was not :i man or a woman in this country who did not desire to see th« war at an end and the Alliss come out on top — and he had not the slightest doubt that this would be the result. (Warm applause.) The war, Mr. Massey went on, had caused a tremendous demand for certain classes of horses for remount and artillery purposes. With the Expeditionary Forces which had left this country had been shipped away no fewer than 4000 horses, and of this number all but 1.9 per cent, had been safely landed at their destination. This pointed to a very important trade being built up between tm's country and Great Britain or the other Dominions. Last session he had been successful in inducing Parliament to pass legislation for the encouragement of the breeding of horses, and no doubt great benefit would result to this department of agriculture. MONEY IN FRUIT. Referring to the fruit industry, Mr. Massey said that this was a very important branch of agriculture, to which nofc very much attention was sometimes directed. In many parts of the country the people did not realise how important the industry' was. As many as 70,000 cases of apples had been exported to South America alone last year, while 3172 acreß of land had been planted in orchards^ In the last half-dozen years 13,362 acres had been planted in fruit trees, and the planting was still going on. It was important that the industry should be encouraged, and he believed that in a few years' time New Zealand would probably be sending away no less than a million pounds' worth of apples a year. A RECORD YEAR. Reverting to exports, the Prime Minister said he had had placed in his hand that morning important figures which he did not think had been made public. They were for the year ended 31st December, and showed that, from this country no less than £26,261,447 worth of produce had been exported. This was easily j a record, and one required, to have a ! great deal of confidence in the prosperity of the country to predictr-pas he had done — that for the present year the Do- [ minion would beat that record. (A voice: "By a long way.") Mr. Maasey then quoted the figures as follow : — £ Wool over 9,000,000 I Butter 2,300,000 Cheese 2,500,000 Beef over 1,000,000 Lamb 2,500,000 Mutton ... ... 2,500,000 Sheepskins 856,000 Tallow 694,000 Oats ' ... 166,000 Hides 350,000 The figures, commented Mr. Massey, made a total of £22,000,000 Taised directly from the soil of the country. They proved unmistakably how dependent was the country's prosperity on the agricultural and pastoral industries, and he believed it would he dependent on them for many years to come. Consequently it was the Government's duty to encourage the greatest of the Dominion's industries and help the people to go upon the land and become suoceseful settlers. TROOPERS AND LAND SETTLEMENT. Land seUle.mejat.waa the, final eubiec^

touted ujwm h$ Ml\ Maose^ VrUo eafcl thafc dlli'iHg th§ msk, W© MtMttkj ai the lu'eeenfe ftudueial $$&? the tkavm would be able be make available fet> the iieople of thitt etmnfcr* 800,009 atjsee c? alt elat#efi elltuid disfe? touted ©vej neai'ly every tlte--triefe iv New &e&l&ndt He \v&9 sorry* in a way, that m many yetuig aeiU'era, the very cream of the emitting were afe pee--scnt out of Now Zealand, bufe weafe of thorn would eeme back, and when they returned tho Government would be able to provido land for thorn, and would be very glad to do so. The prosperity of the country doubfcloaa depended in the first instance upon successful settlement j and, secondly, upon scientific and up-to- | date farming, followed by inteiiae cultivation. (Loud applause.)