FARMING YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 65, 14 September 1934, Page 14

FARMING YEAR

INCREASED PRODUCTION

IMPROVED WOOL PRICES

A review of the agricultural activities of the Dominion is contained in the annual report of the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. C. E. Macuiill.'in), presented to I'iirliiiincnl. today. "In the princip.ill rural industries the past year must bo characterised as very successful if viewed solely from !)i<; point, of volume of production," .•■aid the Minister. "A. favourable season and increased effort and efficiency on the part of the farming community were important factors coulributing'towards tho attainment of this result. During the year the recent downward trend in' the number of sheep has been reversed. A substantial increase in the total number of sheep was recorded, and it would seem that a heavy proportion of the increase, consists of breeding ewes. There were increases also in the Dominion totals of cattle and pigs, but a slight decline in horses.

"A most welcome and satisfactory feature of the farming year was the improved prices pf such staple products as wool and lamb., This is reflected in the export values for the year ended June 30, which are of particular interest in, that they cover a complete production year. In the year ended June 30, 1934, 822,396 bales of wool exported wore valued at £13,287,458, whereas tho corresponding figure's for 1933 were 801,633 bales and £6,703,359. At the end' of June, 1934, the stocks of wool in tho Dominion were depleted, and wero lower than at the corresponding dato in any of tho four seasons immediately preceding. Though there was a decline in the weight of lamb exported- for the period specified above,i there was an increase of £1,135,874 in its declared value. The price- position in the dairy industry was not so satisfactory, but there was an increase -of sljghtly under 5J,000,000 in the declared valuo of the dairy- produce exported, this being duo partially to-tho increased production. , The. valuo of tho exports of frozen pork .showed a marked expansion from £.393,726 in. 1933 to £950,183 in 1934. In view of tho important role played by judicious top-dressing iv tho past expansion in farm production, considerable significance is to be attached to the-decrease in the amount of fertiliser carried by rail, which was the lowest since 1926-27. As ah increased amount, of fertiliser, was used,, by sheep j farmers tho decrease in respect to/topdressing in'dairying must have been greator tha. ,jtho total fertiliser figures for tho '''..Dominion suggest. .

"Tho Department continues to administer designed to assist farmers in their financially difficult circumstances. Among the measures taken for this purpose are. subsidies ou tho manufac/turo .and .railage of fertiliser, and concessions in respect to railway freights on limo and on primary produce under certain conditions..

"Though -marketing difficulties relative to primary products have still to 'bo faced, thoro is satisfaction in the -view, which seems well founded, 'that the worst of the depression through which, farming industries havo been passing appears to bp over. It may reasonably -bo expected that .the improved conditions,.which are developing in Great* Britain and other countries devoted dominantly to manufacturing, will in duo course bo reflected beneficially in tlie markets for our farm produce, and, this being so, it would "seem that the process.of recovery is already in progress^ In tho meantime all efforts are being concentrated on the ondoavour to ameliorate tho vitally important, marketing position in tho best way possible in, the circumstances. .. .. ■ , • ■