The Hawera Star SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1924. THE LAND AND THOSE WHO WORK IT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 October 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1924. THE LAND AND THOSE WHO WORK IT.

Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock In Hawera. Manaia, Normnnby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga. Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Ifurleyville. Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whalcamara; Ohangai, Mere me re, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

Ail people are dependent upon the land and what it produces for their food and clothing, but how few people living in cities remember that fact. In recent years the application of science to industry has enabled those who work the land to gain a much wider knowledge of what is required before Nature will consent to give up her wealth, and one has only to travel through a district such as South Taranaki to l realise that many farmers are making much better use of their land than, they were a few years ago. In various parts of the world laboratories are constantly busy in seeking 1 out the hidden powers of Nature, and soil and seed analyses are leading to greater knowledge of the ways and means by which production can be increased. The problem of feeding and clothing the people of the world was made very difficult through the war, and for several years past farmers have been urged to increase production and to keep their produce up to the highest standard. Favoured by excellent seasons and inspired by the advice of leaders the farmers in this district have made splendid efforts, and the result has been a great increase in produce for export. But it is generally admitted that the fertile lands of this part of New Zealand have not yet been made to yield their maximum, and naturally there is a keen desire to secure even better results. In various parts of the district farmers have their branches of the Farmers’ Union, and they meet at intervals to discuss the land and questions concerning production. "We believe "hat much good has been derived from these gatherings and from the lectures and demonstrations given by men who . have made a. special study of questions pertaining to the land and what it produces. The Farmers’ Union has done very good work in this direction, and we lave glad to find that some of the branches are showing a revival of interest in the union, which would become of much greater value to the whole farming community if more farmers would become active members and help in its work. It is difficult to understand why some farmers have not realised that the union, properly supported, could be of inestimable value to the country, but unless it has a strong membership its activities are naturally limited. Throughout the Dominion there is scope for much more attention being given to the training of farmers, and agricultural, education does not have the place it should have in a country such as this, where the great bulk of the wealth comes from the primary industries. " Instelad of encouraging young people to take an interest in farming, the tendency has been the other way, and as children have grown up they have looked to the towns and cities as providing them with prospects for professional careers. Not every boy is fitted for farming, it is true, but it cjannot be said that every boy ie fitted for sr professional career. It is necessary that a country have a. proper distribution of its labour. There must be skilled tradesmen as well as professional workers, but above all there must be farmers if the Dominion is to maintain its strength and prosperity. Why then has agricultiirtsl education not been rdven a more important place in the country? However, there are signs that improvements are to be effected in the next few years, and that the people' are beginning to realise more the importance of the great primary industries. Representatives of the farmers have been placing the matter before Ministers, and it is hoped that their requests will be granted and that the country will enter upon an era of great progress in its farming. Thenare thousands of acres of land awaiting development, but many more farmers, are required, not inexperienced. but ‘properly trained, men who know wha.t is required and have the will to work the land to best advantage. The best farmers should be young New Zealanders who have been given the necessary instruction anc! who are k»en to take their part in building Tip the country of which they have every reason to be proud. It. is surelr- ia national chitv to provide every facility for the training of large numbers of snch men.