Message from the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, Minister of Agriculture

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 7 November 1933, Page 9

Message from the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, Minister of Agriculture

I have much pleasure in acceding to the request of the Editor of the “Hawera Star” for a brief message to the people of South Taranaki on the occasion of the Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Jubilee Show.

The South Taranaki district is to be felicitated on its striking .progress dur in g the past fifty years. In 1883 : memories of the Maori War were fresh and Native troubles still threatened to disturb the security of the settlers, while the land itself was more or less in the rough. At the present time racial peace and amity reign, and no fairer an'd more fertile countryside can be seen, nor does a higher level of normal prosperity exist elsewhere in the Dominion.

The development of the dairy industry in South Taranaki calls for genuine admiration. The district has Achieved premier place in-cheese production, and approximately one-fifth of the Dominion export output is now graded at Patea. *

As one who has had close personal association with the dairy industry for many years I would here re-empha- • sise the maxim of “quality first,” more particularly in reference to cheese manufacture. The day has long passed when bulk might be given first consideration. It is satisfactory to note that these factors are becoming increasingly realised no less‘in South Taranaki than elsewhere in the Dominion.

The admirable manner in which all sections of the community in New Zealand have “held the fort” during the long period of economic depression now appears likely to receive its reward before long. The most encouraging “feature is the decided industrial improvement manifested in Britain, bringing with it improving purchasing power on the part of our best customer, which should inspire our farming and business interests with further confidence in the immediate future outlook.

In conclusion, I extend my congratulations to. the Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which stands high among such bodies in the Dominion, and I wish the Jubilee Show every success

C. B. MACMILLAN, Minister of Agriculture,