FARMING INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 291, 7 November 1932, Page 2

FARMING INDUSTRY

IMPORTANCE OF PIGS. CONDITION OF FLOCKS. “New Zealand more than any other country is practically wholly de l jel ?;' ant upon its primary producers, tins country offers exceptional facilities with its mild and equable climate ; ancl it is eminently suited for almost every class of farming, particularly sheep and cattle raising,” stated Mr b. R. Thomson, in an address to the 1 alinerston North Rotary Club to-day on the position of the farming industry. \ isitors welcomed were .Messrs W. G. Shannon and T. \\ ass. “The dairy industry lias gone ahead in leaps and hounds,” added ‘ the speaker. ‘‘Compared with 10 or 12 years ago, exports of butter and cheese nave increased by over GO per cent., or 71,000 tons of dairy produce per annum. I think this season’s production will be a record in more than one way—from the point of view of the increased production per cow and the number of cows milked. “We stand as tho second largest exporters of butter. Denmark is the largest. We are second in respect of cheese exports, the Netherlands holding pride of place. Denmark, in addition to her large butter exports, has shown ' other countries wlrat can be done in the nature of the pig industry. I feel confident that if the dairy farmers of the Dominion had concentrated more on this industry they would have been much better off. The pig industry in Denmark is on a scale six times as large as ours. There they take the last fraction off the farm; there is no waste whatever. It is an industry which every farmer will have to consider. Every particle of produce goes into further primary production along many small side-lines. Some farmers even in this district are netting £1 to 35s an acre from the pig industry alone. Over the whole country on that basis it would mean a great deal to New Zealand. There are two dairy farmers to every sheep farmer and the dairy industry is the most important as an individual unit. I can look hack to a period a few years ago when farmers used to look upon tho pig as the ‘mortgage lifter.’ “Frozen lamb exports from this country have practically doubled during the past 10 or 12 years. The mutton and beef trades have not shown an appreciable change; if anything, the beef trade has depreciated. We cannot hope to compete with Argentine mutton. They have better quality and are handier to the Smithfield mar. ket.

DEPRECIATION IN FLOCKS. “The high status of the commercial flocks of New Zealand lias, during the last ten years, depreciated. To-day we are carrying more old sheep than ever before. F’or every aged ewe in the Wellington province in 1924 we have now 2, 2.} or 3. White-faced flocks have been sadly depleted, and the real effect of that shrinkage has only been felt during the last 12 months. “The large increases in our exports are clear evidence of the. advance made by the fanning community. Without doubt the Royal Show just ended had tho finest display of live stock ever exhibited in any show ring in New Zealand, both from the point of view view of numbers and tho quality represented. it was an eye-opener to the breeders of New Zealand. The owners of stud flocks and herds are doing their bast to maintain and improve the standard of quality. The exhibition of stud stock was one worth going far to see.

"Some 94.2 per cent, of what we export comes off the grass pa-ddocks,” Air Thomson continued. "It has been pleasing to hear His Excellency, the Governor-General, refer to the wonderful grass pastures of New Zealand. Other items of the export trade comprise .9 per cent agriculture, 1.4 per cent, mining, 1.8 per cent, forestry and other exports 1.7 per cent. “British countries take 91 per cent, of our exports,” he added. “Great Britain absorbs 80 per cent and we take 40 per cent, of our importations from Great Britain. It is obvious that the trade is out of balance. The United States take 6 per cent, of our exports and we take 17 per cent, of our imports from there.

LACK OF MARKETS. “The world was never so well equipped or better able to produce all we want; yet while some in other countries are scarcely able to obtain the necessities of life, we have the farmers facing the lack of a market for their products. The present depression is the greatest the world has ever known. AYe have not failed to produce enough for the world's requirements, but there lias been a breakdown of the machinery of adjustment between the community owners. As long as price levels keep down to the present low export parity our overseas debt will be heavier. It looks as if the lamb season will open at about half of last year’s parity. Romney cross wool which was bringing 14d to 16d for super lots a few years ago is now worth 34 to 5d and lamb bringing 9d in 1928 is now at 3id to 3RI. After making allowances under the. Adjustment Act, interest still claims a larger share of the farmer’s income than formerly. The primary producer is unable temporarily to close up his farm like a factory, but the men who are keeping up production will bo on the crest of the wave when the tide turns.

"Think what would happen if the dairy, meat and wool industries in this country closed up for a season—it would end in chaos. The farmer’s price level has got to be raised. His purchasing value is the basis of all trade and industry, and that value has definitely gone. He lias not one shilling net profit left after meeting his interest bill, wages, taxation and other outgoings. Everything has to be adjusted to export values, the tremendous fall of which has caused our troubles. The position of the primary producer has quickly to be restored, or the whole industry will be in the melting pot. AYe can go on but not indefinitely and if the farming industry goes under the whole economic life of this country goes with it,” Air Thomson concluded.

The speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr J. C. Young.