TRYING YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 47, 23 August 1930, Page 14

TRYING YEAR

CROWN LAND SETTLERS

FALL IN PRODUCE PRICES

A satisfactory year from a purely production point of view is recorded in the annual report on the settlement of Crown lands for the year ended 31st March, 1930. However, there has been an unfortunate offset in the decline of primary products. "The dairying industry had another most productive year, although prices fell materially, and the total financial returns 'for the export season will be below last year's," states the report. "Dairy herds have, however, increased, and farmers generally are using better methods in the management of their stock and pastures, while the greater use of fertilisers is yearly more evident. The sheep farmer experienced a somewhat trying year. The slump in wool values resulted in greatly decreas--3d incomes, and a considerable quantity of wool remained unsold. The demand for the finer wools was especially disappointing. More lambs were slaughtered for export than during the previous year, and although prices were somewhat lower the increased number dealt with maintained the total.export value. An increased, quantity of mutton was exported. Flocks have increased considerably throughout the Dominion, and this result has been obtained side by side with an increase in dairy and other cattle. Top-dressing is playing a great part in this general increase in flocks and herds. Grain crops were very fair, and in Otago particularly heavy yields were obtained. GREATER OUTPUT ESSENTIAL. "It is fairly apparent that lower prices for primary products than those obtaining of late years may be expected to continue; and to maintain and increasn our farming income a greater output, coupled with further improvement in methods and, wherever possible, reduced working costs, must be looked for. The Dominion possesses the great advantages of a congenial climate and a generally productive soil, and . there seems little reason to fear that the call for increased production will not be effectively answered. "The severe earthquakes experienced in June in Nelson-and on the West Coast resulted in considerable damage to farming properties' in various localities, and it was necessary for the settlers to evacuate some of the valleys, chiefly on account of the access roads having been destroyed. The services of officers of the Department were fully availed of in the relief measures that were put in hand in the districts affected. I "Selections of Crown and settlement lands during th eyear totalled some 402 900 acres. The tenants on tho books of the Department under all tenures numbered at 31st March 37,061, occupying a total area of over 19,390,000 acres. Over 9,250,000 acres of this total is represented by pastoral runs, while i)B3^,----000 acres of purchased estates are hold under lease under the provisions of the Land for Settlements .Act. "Over 1200 sections have been disposed of in the Hutt Valley Settlement."