BRITISH FARMERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 72, 8 March 1930, Page 6

BRITISH FARMERS

VISIT TO HAWKE’S BAY

LUNCHEON TENDERED AT HASTINGS.

A HAPPY. INFORMAL GATHERING.

There was little formality about the luncheon tendered to the British farmers in the Assembly Hall, Hastings, yesterday. The visitors were a cheery party and it was not a difficult matter to entertain them. Hawke’s Bay people found them happy and congenial and there were many interesting chats over the meal. Owing to pressure of time the musical portion of the programme was eliminated and the brief time after the addresses and before the time of departure was spent talking together “over a smoke.” Aftet apologising for the absence of the Mayor (Mr. G. F. Roach) the actmg-Mayor (Cr G. W. B. McCormick) said that the visit had been an “eye-opener” to him. “Yours is the happiest party that I have had associations with.” he said. “It was wonderful to see the interest you took in the freezing industry of this district. I feel sure that you will boost Hawke’s Bay prime mutton and on your return say how good a place Hawke's Bay is I feel sure that the wonderful interest you have shown in us to-day is going to be the biggest boost Hastings has ever had.”

Proposing the toast “The Visitors,” and coupling it with the name of Mr. L. C. Tipper, M.R.C.V.S., of Moseley. Birmingham, Mr. J. H. Joll, president of the Hawke’s Bay Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, said that the union and kindred associations were particularly honoured to welcome visitors from the country from where our ancestors had sprung. New Zealand had made wonderful progress in its 85 years of association with the Home Country, and New Zealanders were proud off-

springs of the Mother Country. Long might she remain the premier country of the earth. A WORLD PEACE. “We appreciate this visit, not merely from the standpoint of meeting each other as farmers, but from the Imperial aspect,” he said. "'Jjday as never before the world requires a tonic to buck it up. It wants world peace and excursions such as these should do much to bring that about. The free blending of the different peoples of the world gives rise to common interests and thought The aim is world-wide brotherhood. This visit is one of the most important events that has ever taken place in the Dominion’s history. When New Zealanders come face to face with people such as you. we realise that, after all, you are just like ourselves. Such a feelinp will help to bring about world peace more quickly.”

Mr. Joll then went on to say that more cohesion was required between the farming communities of the Empire. Unfortunately, he said, the farmei was at the mercy of everybody. There was too much dictating to the farmer as ts what this or that should bring on the market. It was time that file whole of the farmers combined and had a say in what should bo a fail price After all, he added, it was recognised that the farming community was the backbone of the Empire. THE DOMINION’S HOSPITALITY

“Yon are trying to kill us with kindness.” declared Mr. Tipper in reply. “The kindness and hospitality showr to us in New Zetland has been

a revelation. When we return we shall tell a tale of the wonderful kindness of Britons overseas. 1 say ‘Britons, for you are just as much British as we are.”

Mr Tipper added that he had met several well-known New Zealanders in England and prior to leaving had spoken to the Hon. L. M. Amery, the former Secretary for the Dominions, who recently toured this country. Mr. Amery had spoken highly ot the wonderful kindness shown him here. “I am a member of a little band of Empire Preference people in Eng land,” he said. “We are working hard to push forward our ideals. A very good suggestion has been made —that there should be an Empire

Agricultural Union which would hold regular conferences. We in England suffer from competition by other parts of the Empire. If the various parts of the Empire were to meet together it would be possible to come to some mutual arrangeemnt whereby they could import and export their various products to the best advantage without hurting each other. We can take a great deal more from you than at present and you can take more from us than you do. Do not always consider the price. When we return we will talk about your splendid mutton and your wonderful butter and say that it is the best to buy. You should try to buy our goods. I know that at times circumstances force us to go to outside competitors for certain goods, but we all should tiy hard to buy within the Empire.” THE MAORIS' WELCOME. On behalf of the Maori race in Hawke’s Bay Mr. Ike Robin extended a cordial welcome to the visitors. He referred to the Rev. John Butler's diary memorandum of May 3, 1820, in which he wrote: “This morning I put an agricultural plough into New Zealand soil for the first time and felt much pleasure in holding it after the bullocks. This day, I trust, will be remembered and the anniversary kept by ages yet unborn. I earnestly pray that the Gospel plough and the agricultural plough may multiply rapidly and in a short time, become a temporal and everlasting blessing to the people of New Zealand. Every heart rejoiced on this auspicious day and may God speed the plough.” The agriculture plough had sped since that day, said Mr. Robin, and now the Dominion was competing on an even footing with the countries in the Old World. We all knew that industry was the parent of wealth as well as of comfort and real independence.

Mr. Robin then gave a brief resume of the ancient Maori methods of industry. He referred to the numerous Maori foods and explained the ceremonies attached to each one. Crude instruments were used until the plough was introduced and that instrument revolutionised Maori cultivation.

Mr. D. Crawford, of Hatfield. Herts, undertook the reply, saying that it was pleasing to note the development of the Maori race under British guidance. In no other Dominion could one see such marked native development ns in New Zealand. It was a revelation to those from overseas. A CANTERBURY PILGRIM. As one of the early Canterbury pilgrims, Mr. W. W. Smart presented a photograph of old Christchurch to the party. He recalled having to use a spade to dig up a quarter-acre section and plant it in wheat. He also referred to the first carriage driven in Christchurch. That was drawn by a barren cow but now people travelled in “mansions on wheels.” In conclusion ho trusted that each and every one of the visitors, on their return to the Homo Country, would make a point of having something from New Zealand on the table. Mr. A. V Allan, of South Africa, thanked Mr. Smart for the gift and assured him that such a present from a worthy pioneer was greatly appreciated. The visitors were entertained until their denarture by train for Dannevirke, where they spent the night. At the station there was n big crowd of Hastings citizens to bid farewell to the tourists, who left with plenty of Hawke’s Bay fruit in their possession.