THE FARMER'S CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 19005, 29 July 1925, Page 10

THE FARMER'S CONFERENCE

ENGLAND’S SURPLUS POPULATION ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL [Pi;n United Pitrss Association.] WELLINGTON, July 28. The twenty-fourth annual dominion conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union commenced this morning, Air W. J. Poison presiding over a large attendance of delegates from all over the dominion. Mis Excellency the Governor-General delivered an address in opening the conference. Sir Charles Fergussou began by expressing regret that an unfortunate chain of circumstances had prevented him getting about the country as much as he, would have liked. First, there had been the infantile paralysis epidemic, then Afr Alassey’s illness and the opening of Parliament, and later his own illness. Mo hoped to make flip for lost time before next year.

After some allusions to Ids own county, Ayrshire, which was much like New Zealand, and its brood of cattle, His Excellency paid a tribute to the debt the Old Country owed the New Zealand farmers for their attitude during the Avar— in fact, be said it was no exaggeration to say that one did not know where England Avonld have been Avithout that help AvJiich Avas so generously given, “1 think,” Sir Charles said, “there is no more striking instance of patriotism than the attitude of the farmers of Ncav Zealand during that terrible time, and not only do I think of the concessions they made and Avhat they did during the Avar, but J am thinking of the very line instance of unselfish gratitude Avhich Avas evinced by the sliecpfarmcrs of New Zealand in that scheme knoAvn as ‘The Flock Mouse Scheme,’ a scheme Avhich, to my mind, Avill be of enormous use, not only, J hope, in the long run to New Zealand itself, but also to the ynith of Groat Britain. !. am delighted to think that that scheme is proving a great success, hut 1 hope it may develop, and i. hope that not only the Flock House scheme itself may he clovolopcd, but that the plan of getting young lads out from Home 'and starting them in educational work on farms with a vieAV to their subsequently rising to the same position as yourselves occupy will bo developed. I hope the scheme may be developed and increase greatly, because I think it AvilJ he for the mutual benefit not only of the Old Country, but also for'New Zealand itself.”

In the struggle with the rival producing countries Sir Charles went on to sav that he could see no reason why New Zealand should not hold its own. Population was one of the lactors, and on that there were widelyvarying opinions, some believing in pouring people in, others that we should he careful about increasing the number too quickly. “If,” ho added, “we are to do our duty to Hie Old Country, wo shall have to absorb some of its surplus population.” Then again it was argued that immigrants might not be the sort farmers wanted, and in England there was already a shortage of labor on the land. Experience, however, had shown that people who did not at first look suitable made ex collect settlors, and he quoted cue of Ids father’s speeches on the subject, dealing with the experiences of people who had come to the dominion. The main point to keep in mind when discussing production was to combine til st quality with the lowest possible cost, and be took it Mint this was one ni the objects of the conference. Do believed that the marketing of picdnce at Dome was improving. De had recently had a letter from a, man on an island off the west coast of Scotland, stating that at- last ho could get a regular supply ol New Zealand butler, and found it far superior to Dair-sb. One of the difficulties was leguhirPy of supply. In Ayrshire (bey would take it if only they could get it, but they could not be sure of it.

His Excellency Mien, declared the conference open.