PROSPEROUS YEAR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 August 1924, Page 6

PROSPEROUS YEAR.

PUR AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES

OUTLOOK FOR FUTURE.

LOWER RANGE OF VALUES

It is pleasing to be able to record another generally prosperous year for tile agricultural industries. Output of our main export staples has been well maintained, while market values have either averaged much on a par with or exceeded those of the preceding year ” states the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. \Y. Nosworthy) in his annual report.

1 erhaps the chief feature of the year was the remarkable rise in the wool market. The slight recession from the top level since reported from London does not appear to possess much permanent significance in view of the statistical position existing with regard to world sheep stocks and supplies of wool. The practical accumulation of Austialian and New Zealand wools is a factor of great strength. The present outlook for wool should encourage glowers to maintain quality by careful breeding and selection, based on the best practical experience combined with scientific knowledge on this subject.

Slaughtering of lambs for export was veiy heavy, although w’eather conditions led to a somewhat undue proportion of unfinished carcases reaching the works. Mutton-killings were on a ifiOT scale. Even miore satisfactory, Horn a basic aspect, has been the reversal of the regrettable downward movement in sheep stocks Which had marked the preceding four or five years The returns for 1923 showed an increase of some 850,000 head, with, 11101 cover, the number t ot breedingewes at great strength; and the 19‘>4 enumeration had added another haltliiuhon to the flocks of the Dominion. Another good feature was the high average lambing percentage of 1923, with a corresponding large crop of lambs. On the year’s returns—in wool, mutton, lamb, and by-products combined the. sheep stands out as still the leading primary wealth-pro-ducer in the Dominion’s agricultural industry. Altogether 1923-24 will be remembered as a sheep-farmers’ year par excellence.

After careful consideration, the Government decided not to renew the system of guaranteed prices for wheat which had obtained for several years. It is proposed that the existing duty on wheat shall remain unaltered, but Parliament is being asked to increase the duty on flour. Owing to the decreased local production, substantial importations of both wheat and oats will be necessary before next season’s harvest. Inquiries indicate that the area sown in wheat in the autumn of the current year is about the same as the total area sown in 1923; further, that preparations are being made for considerable additional sowings in the ensuing soring. There are thus grounds •° r i that the total wheat area lor 1924-25 season will meet the Dominion s requirements for next year provided a normal yield is secured! Lull setf-support as regards essential ireadstuffs is very desirable considered lrom a broad viewpoint. It seems evident that this country must be prepared in - the near future to meet increasing competition with most of its staple exports on the world’s markets, accompanied probably by a lower range of values. The selfreliant course for meeting this position is by increased efficiency at all points—oy better fanning practice, handling transport, and marketing. There is also room for greatly extended sound eo-opei ative effort along the chain from producer to icoiisumer. Well-directed scientific research can lie of great and lar-reaching assistance at all points. “"W® -should not presume too much on the natural advantages of our country, but build well and soundly on the fine foundation they ha-ve o-jven us,” concluded the Minister. °