ENGLISH FARMING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 7 January 1928, Page 14

ENGLISH FARMING.

SOUTH AFRICAN TRIBUTE

The “London Times” tells us that the South African farmers who have been touring “agricultural” countries were impressed with the high state and cultivation all over the rich agricultural district of South Lincolnshire. Mr. W. Robinson, the leader, paid a tribute to British farming before leaving. Before coming to England, he said, they had toured France, Germany, Denmark, and Holland, and, much as they appreciated the hospitatility of those countries, and also of London, they felt tliey were at home when they came to South Lincolnshire. THE OLE PROBLEM. Speaking of stock, he said they regarded the animals as wonderful; and in the Fens they had seen the highest cultivation witnessed anywhere on the tour English farmers did everything that was best for agriculturists to do, but the labour problem and prices seemed to be against them, caused through dumping from other countries. The English farmers had to pay more for labour, but failed to get any better prices for their stuff.

Farmers were producers, but they did not fix the price. It was unfair, he said, for farmers to send produce to London at a high cost, and then have to meet unfair competition. For horses and cattle he was quite sure England could not be beaten, and the fields of potatoes in the Fen country were better than they had seen anywhere else on the tour.