“NEVER BEEN BRIGHTER.”

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

“NEVER BEEN BRIGHTER.”

PROSPECTS OF FARMING INDUSTRY.' BIG JUMP IN EXPORTS EXPECTED. “The prospects of the farming industry in tne Dominion have never been brighter than they are at present. The position of farmers in all instances may not be ideal. That is a matter governed greatly by the personal equation and certain other influences, and many have come through a trying period during recent years.” The position was put thus b} r Mr W. D. Stewart, New Zealand superintendent for Dalgety and Company, Ltd., who was paying a brief visit to Auckland. “I have been in New' Zealand for 34 years, and have been intimately associated with the primary industries during that period,” he said. “The present season has opened more auspiciously for farmers than any that I can remember. I am strongly averse to adopting the role of prophet, and will give no warnings or predictions further than stating that if the present prices for. our primary products continue the farmers should experience the best season in the history of the Dominion.”

Mr Stewart said that he had travelled through the country a good deal of late. The South Island was literally _ full of feed, and crops were all looking well, promising an abundant harvest. What he had seen of the North Island between Wellington and Auckland had never looked better. These conditions were reflected in the fact that there was a record production of butter-fat and that stock of all kinds were in excellent condition. The prices for dairy products had been betei\ s<3ason than for some time, and the market was still in favour of producers. Unless a dry summer was experienced or some unforeseen factor intervened, there should be a record dairy production, with corrspondinglv increased returns for producers. Wool prices were up to record figures, and the clip should be rafher larger.than that of last season.

Allowing for increased production and enhanced values, the Dominion’s exports this season, he considered, should reach £60,000,000, compared with about £48,446,000 for .the year ended June 30 last. The exchange position promise.d to continue to he rather a serious problem. If the exports were maintained to the figures indicated, he did not think there could be auy easement. Replying to a question regarding land values., Mr Stewart said that lie could offer no strong opinion. The real value of land was its'eamincr capacity, and people should not be*carned away by the results of an exceptionally good season. Buyers were not nearly so plentiful as they were a tew years_ ago, but there was" hound to be a revival in land purchases