MASS PRODUCTION IN FARMING OF FUTURE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6864, 20 March 1929, Page 8

MASS PRODUCTION IN FARMING OF FUTURE

Large Scale Methods in Agriculture FARMS AMALGAMATED and cultivated AS WHOLE A prophecy that in. the future the words "mass production” may be as fittingly applied to agriculture as t» industry, was made by Mr Alfred Seifert, in the course of an address to the Palmerston North Citizens’ Luncheon club yesterday. "It is certain that large factories can turn out their manufactures cheaper than can small ones," said Mr Seifert, “and as an instance of that, seven great motor companies are today producing 94 per cent, of the world’s ear output. This principle has been applied to industry, but it has never been applied to farm work. At present there are small farms in plenty because so many of the farmers like to be their own bosses and to preserve their independence. At the same time it is quite within the range of possibilities that farming also will be conducted on a large scale and that the small farms will be amalgamated into large tracts controlled by selected brains. Of course the- independence or the farmers and their liking for freedom stand in the way, but when tho industrial methods of to-day are compared with the farming methods, it is apparent that there is a weakness in the latter. If ever an organisation is made as I have suggested and directed by selected) brains, then the farm workers will enjoy the same conveniences and comforts as the city workers. At present there is no denying the fact that they have long hours and many discomforts. "In America, the first step has been made in the appointment of what are known as farm managers who control a number of small farms amalgamated together ,and give to them all, the benefit of their knowledge and experience. Against that, we have tho fact that men prefer their liberty, and for that we cannot blame them. We do not know whether they will be prepared to sacrifice that liberty, so called, to more economical methods. At the same time, the increased use of agricultural machinery and labour-saving devices is almost forcing it."