PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Evening Star, Issue 21254, 8 November 1932, Page 1

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

INCREASE OF 15 PER GENT. [Pen United Press Association.] STRATFORD, November 7. A statement that production throughout New Zealand had increased by 15 per cent, this season was made by the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes), speaking at a luncheon held at Tangarakau to-day, in the course of the festivities celebrating the opening of the new railway line. Mr Forbes said that in addition to a greater area under development more was being taken out of the land per acre. He felt confident that the new railway, line Would be tne means of increasing production still further.

Mr Langstone expressed the opinion that the line would be particularly useful arid particularly valuable to many districts.

Mr C. A. Boles, Mayor of Taumarunui, said he imped the line would not prove the funeral pyre of the Public Works Department. He considered it desirable that at least 50 per cent, of the unemployment should be absorbed by this department. Mr Coates said ho agreed that the department could usefully control a great deal more development work, but this simply could not be done at the public works rate of wages. It would have to be understood that relief pay was all the Government could offer at the present time. Mr Contes urged the farmers to go on increasing production. Ho assured them that the Government would see that a fair thing was done. It would not allow merciless Shylocks to drive them off their properties. Mr W. J. Poison proposed the toast of “ Brighter Days for the Farmers.” He said the farmers had had the courage and determination to carry on against the depression, and he felt very optimistic concerning the outcome of their struggle.