FARMING IN BRITAIN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 253, 25 September 1939, Page 8

FARMING IN BRITAIN.

MORE THAN SUBSIDIES NEEDED

, AUCKLAND, Sept. 22. Subsidies alone will not rehabilitate the British farmer, according to Mr V. C. Smart, of Wiri, who has returned to Auckland with Mrs Smart after being a member of a party of 55 Empire farmers who have been making a tour of the United Kingdom and Europe. The farming industry in Britain, he said, needed more than what had been done for it; the effect of subsidies would be only transient; and farmers themselves were beginning to realise 'that only a definite long-term agricultural policy would enable full development of the vast potential wealth of rhe industry. During his British tour, Mr Smart was amazed at the great number of different breeds of stock lie saw. There were as many as 95, including 16 of light horses, 15 of* beef and dual-pur-pose cattle, nine dairy cattle, nine long-woolled sheep, 11 Down and other breeds, 13 mountain sheep, 12 of pigs and as many as six different breeds of goats. All these were apart from various crosses.

On several occasions British farmers spoke to Mr Smart about New Zealand’s embargo on the direct shipment of British cattle. The desire was expressed by many breeders that the Dominion Government should open the door to the transport of cattle from Britain, and, as a result of liis travels, Air Smart considered that it would be in the interests of New Zealand to lift the restrictions.