FARMERS’ UNION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 22 July 1924, Page 9

FARMERS’ UNION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, July 22. The Governor-General, at the opening of the annual conference of the Dominion Farmers’ Union to-day, first paid a tribute' to the memory of the late Sir Walter Buchanan who. he said, was one of whom the Dominion should lie proud, as well it might, for he had in him all those qualities so typical of the early pioneers who had made New Zealand what it was today. His Els cel lei icy said that one thing which had struck him most during his time in New Zealand had been that the progress of the Dominion was quite natural, and anyone who loved New Zealand as lie did should feel intense pleasure to think that the Dominion was going ahead. He was very much struck by the progress made during the ten years preceding 1923. Figures showed that there had been very remarkable progress indeed. Trade had increased by 83 per cent., and last vear was a record in. that respect. Exports had increased by 98 per cent., frozen meat in volume 37 per cent., wool by 71 per cent., butter in volume 19G per cent., cheese 101 per cent., while the population had increased 20 per cent. The Swamp area reclaimed had increased during those ten years by 474 per cent. His Excellency alluded to the drift of population to the towns, and remarked that there could he no question that the country was much healthier and a better place to live in and bring up a famijy. "With legard to inducing immigrants of the right stamp to come to New Zealand, he gave them his assurance that on his return to England he would do all he could for the Dominion. Reference wa,s made by His Excellency to the opening of Flock House for the sons of members of the navy ami the mercantile marine who had lost their lives during the war, and he spoke in terms of the highest praise oj the arrangements m a tie- at Flock House, and promised that he would give his assurance to mothers and guardians of youths entitled to the benefits of the institution that they would be well eared for. When lie left New Zealand he would leave behind him a great part of his heart, as would his family. He concluded by wishing those present gcod-bve and God speed.