The Hawera Star. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1924. THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 December 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1924. THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Delivered every evening by S o'clock in Hawera Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Elthara, Hangatoki, Eaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, . Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, - Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangai, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

Our readers no douibt read with interest the statements' of two American professors published in an interview in the Star yesterday. The visitors were very emphatic that the dairying industry in New Zealand had. developed in a remarkable manner, and the methods employed were far ahead of those followed in the United States. Of course . allowance ha© to be made for the different climatic conditions in the two Countries, and the fact that the United States requires the whole of its dairy produce, except a comparatively small quantity of condensed milk, for its own consumption. But knowing fully that these allowances should not be overlooked, the Professors were able to speak in very high praise of New Zealand’s farmers, farms, herds and produce. It was very refreshing to hear their statements and to mark the sincerity with which they spoke and one realised that opinions coming from men so fitted and well qualified to express them were of ai great value. But satisfactory as it is to re-* V ceive such praise, and to find that New Zealand’© dairying industry is. so famed abroad, it would be foolish to imagine "that all possible has been done-and that the Dominion has reached its maximum output of dairy produce. Farmers themselves know that such is not the case, and that much remains to be done before the highest point in production is reached. The average production per cow has improved a little in the last few years and the benefits of blood-breeding, milk-testing and 'better pastures are beginning to have their effect/ but the day when the 300 lib average is reached is yet fan distant.. Taranaki farmers realise now to a greater extent than they did a few years ago that one cow is not as good as another, and that the elimination of the “scrub” hull and the “robber” cow is necessary to progress. They have learned that high quality produce is required to retain for New Zealand her high place on the London market, and in many directions farmers can see that there is room for further improvement. were especially interested' in Professor Pussell’s remarks upon the Boys’ and Girls’ Club movement, and how it is regarded in the United States, hot by farmers only, hut by business people. He recommended the people here to give the movement their fullest support, as wo have urged on several occasions. In various parts of the Dominion there are large areas of land awaiting development, but have we a sufficient number of farmers to undertake the work? The day has passed when a man without any knowledge of farming could I take up land and make a success of h;s efforts. The need is for more farmers, and farmers who possess the necessary knowledge as well as the will to work the lands which have yet to he developed. It is true that success in farming in New Zealand has been due in many cases to- the knowledge gained after years of experience, and mistakes made, hut in these times, when science is being so closely linked to industry, many of the mistakes made a generation ago are avoidable. Farming is becoming more and more an exact science, and as scientific knowledge and methods are employed to a greater extent the industry becomes much more interesting for those engaged in it. For this reason alone the Boys’ and Girls’ Club movement merits strong support in all parts of the country while it should also claim better attention because of its excellent influence in attracting young people to the land, and SO' helping to, stop the drift to the cities. If for nothing else than to give his message to the people to support the Boys’ and Girls' Club movement, Professor Russell’s visit to Hawera was well worth while. The statements of the Professors should act .as an incentive to South Taranaki farmers to make even greater efforts than in the past to improve the industry still further, and build upon the strong foundations which are so highly regarded by people overseas.