STOCK AND PASTURES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 July 1933, Page 5

STOCK AND PASTURES.

IMPERATIVE NEED FOR UPKEEP. IMPORT SUFFICIENT NEW BLOOD. TREAT SOIL FOR MINERAL DEFICIENCIES. (By Telegraph—Press WELLINGTON, Wednesday A message from the Governor-Gen-eral (Lord Bledisloe) to the annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers ' Union was received to-day. His Excellency stated that he welcomed with profound satisfaction the obvious determination of all the more responsible farmers in the Dominion to support the Government in its efforts to level up the average standard of New Zealand's primary exports and thus not merely maintain but enhance her reputation overseas for outstanding quality. If this standard of quality was to be secured and perpetuated, two conditions were indispensable. One was the maintenance at the highest possible level of the quality and conjßtituuion of New Zealand's live stock; and the other was the maintenance and improvement of ;the condition of her pasture land. Th,e first essential would only <be achieved if they protected their flocks and herds against deterioration through inbreeding. 'Such protection was conditioned by the availability from overseas—subject to adequate safeguards against disease—of pedigree males of the right type at a price which the ordinary commercial stockowner ccfuld afford to pay. He kncAv that fears were entertained by many New Zealand, stock owners on the subject, and he fully respected them, although unable to share thorn in the light of scientific knowledge and past experience.

The other requisite for securing the highest possible standard of primary exports appeared to be the due care of grassland. Their best pastures Avere the best in the world, but many ed from mineral deficiencies, especially in the matter phosphates and lime and (in the bush-sick areas) of iron. "Unless these deficiencies were constantly made good, the land would suffer capital depreciation far outweighing the cost to the farmer of the appropriate fertilisers.