WAR AND PRODUCE

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 110, 5 November 1915, Page 3

WAR AND PRODUCE

RECORD EXPORT YEAR

PROSPECTS FOR PRESENT

SEASON

HUGE CONTRACT FOR CHEESE,

Two interesting speeches relating to j the war and its effect on the primary industries of this Dominion were delivered by the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister (Mr. W. F. Massey) and the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald (Minister of Agriculture) when the former officially opened the new large and commodious ! cattle pavilion in the Palmerston North i Showground yesterday afternoon. A large number of people attended the cere- i mony. After expressing pleasure at acceding to the request to open the pavilion, Mr. : Massey said that although he had eeen ; most of the showgrounds in New Zea- j land, he had; seen nothing to equal the , new structure, and he doubted whether i there was anything to equal it south of ' the line. It was a credit to everybody concerned, and worthy of such an important centre. He congratulated those ■ present upon the prospects of the show, although they were perhaps not so good as they would have been in the piping times of peace. Considering the country was engaged in war, however, he had no hesitation in saying that the show was a really good one. He was particularly pleased with this fact, beca-use on the present occasion all the profits were going to one of the patriotic funds. For this reason he hoped the show would be a great success —financially and otherwise. As head of the Government, he wished to sincerely thank the people of the district for the kindness and hospitality extended to the soldiers when it became necessary for them to leave Trentham. He had heard the soldiers express their j gratitude, and the Government, Parlia- ' ment, and the people were grateful. LAST YEAR'S DROUGHT A MEMORY Referring to agricultural matters generally, Mr. Massey congratulated the farmers on the fact that the season had commenced so well. _Partieular]y good prices had obtained, and his only regret was that this was because of the war that was going on. He felt quite sure that every man and woman would be pleased to take lower prices if the war were brought to an end in the way that was desired. The season had been so good that the drought of last season had almost been forgotten. He was looking forward to a record year for exports. For the twelve months ended 30th September the exports of produce were no less' than 1% millions, and he predicted that as far as it was humanly possible to judge, that the exports tor tne' present year would go considerably beyond 30 millions. One very satisfactory point was that although the exports last year were close on 30 millions the, stocks of the country had been in no way depleted. In fact, the last count showed that on the particular day on which the census was taken there were more sheep than .in the corresponding day of the previous year.. Quite a number of the producers of this country were fighting for us on' the other side of the world, and he believed this would be _an inducement to . those who remained to work even harder than before. Wool was up to an abnormal price, and butter and cheesee were selling at prices at which they had never sold before. At the present time he was arranging for a deal between the Imperial Government and the daily producers of this country for something like one million pounds' worth of cheese—ls.ooo tons— for the troops. " When they want something good," said Mr. Ma-ssey, " they come to New Zealand for it, whether it is men, butter or cheese." (Laughter.) He had not the slightest doubt that the deal would be as advantageous to all concerned as the present meat arrangement. From the 3rd. March last no less than six million pounds' worth of meat had been exported from this country, and, as far as he could judge, the present arrangement would go on until the end of the war, which he hoped would be soon. So far as ships were concerned (the Prime Minister added) there had been no difficulty for a long time. Eleven new freezing concerns had been erected with accommodation for a million car cases. These were at the present time empty, but the new season was just about to commence, and freezing would start again..' New Zealand had during the last few years increased its reputation as a producing country. M the San Francisco Exhibition, as far as agricultural exhibits were concer/ied. New Zealand had practically swept the board. Jt hail taken no less thai, 454 main prizes, and in addition, the principal award for agricultural, products. This >v;is a very creditable thing to accomplish, and the advertisement would stand us in good •stpad in time to i-omu. The demand fron. Great Britain ' could not possibly continue as at the present time, and Ncv Zealand must look foi other markets. Hi.was quite sure that wlien the ocoasioN arose, the Tiominion would he able to place some of its products in the Eastern States of America, to say nothin" of tht Western State*.

Touching on the war, Mr. Massey said it would come wan end in time. Men, munitions, and supplies were wanted. New Zealand had sent men and would keep on sending men as long as the war ' lasted. "Sometime*," said Mr. Massey', i "we get a little bit anxious, but I have no doubt that we will be able to <lo our full share." (Applause.) It! could not be expected that New Zealand i could supply munitions—the country was not old enough to do that—but as far i as men and supplies were concerned, it could do all it was expected to do. He wished to goodness that the war would come to an end, but if New Zealand could go on supplying produce, the better it would be for everybody—New Zealand and the Empire. "I appeal to you to continue to produce," concluded Mr. Massey, "and I know that my appeal will not bo in .vain." (Loud applause.) DEVOTION OF OUR BOYS The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister of Agriculture, also delivered an appropriate speech. He thought that the people of the district and everybody concerned were entitled to the congratulations of the Prime Minister and the producers for the excellent pavilion that had been erected. The show was evidence of the fact that the farmers intended to supply the best of everything. As Mr. Massey had said-, there was no question that this Dominion was one of the leading producing countries of the world per head of population. There was still a great deal to be done, however, and there was no doubt that the agricultural industry of this country could be further improved, and it was being improved year by year. We had sent from this country a large number of our boys, and they had given evidence of their devotion. It was for the rest of the population 'of. this country to see that they had not given their lives in vain. At the'present time the great and "dominant question was to use all the resources of. this country in an endeavour to bring the war to a successful issue. That wa-s what the Government was doing at the present time, aud it

could not be expected^ in this time of great stress, that as much money as was wished could be devoted to the various industries. The prices of produce were higher than they had ever been, and it was to be regretted that this was due to the cruel war being waged on the other side of the world. He hoped that before the next show the dark war clouds would have blown away and we would move towards a more glorious destiny lor this Dominion and the British Empire. (Applause.)