The Manawatu Daily Times A Remarkable Achievement

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 224, 23 September 1935, Page 6

The Manawatu Daily Times A Remarkable Achievement

During the iour years 1931-33, the total quantity o£ £arm production in New Zealand increased by 26 per cent.—a tru y remarkable achievement. During some oil those years there were many sheep-farmers so pushed for ready cash that they sot portions of their sheep flocks. It was this that partly swelled our mutton exports in the “Ottawa year.” On hundreds ot back-country properties maintenance had to stand still, fences deteriorated, second growth and noxious weeds nourished.

Dairy-farmers in many cases had to continue milking cows that were due to be sold oil as no longer profitable, because they could not afford replacements. Some had to lessen their topdressing programmes and their pastures suffered.

Yet somehow production was not only maintained—and that would have been quite an achievement—but actually increased by more than one-quarter.

The Dominion owes a very great debt to the wonderful efforts put forth by its rural population. Their effort very largely contributed to carrying this country through the depression. Prices for primary produce have recovered from the lowest levels, but arc still substantially below those of 1925-29 —at present 40 per cent, below that level. As a result of tins severe devaluation, the farming income is -4 per cent, below that of 1925-29, despite a 2(3 per .cent, increase in quantity of produce.

The farmer has stood by this Dominion and iie lias every right to consideration from other sections of the community. Improvement in the condition of the primary industries has been registered, but considerable further improvement must be shown before recovery in full 'can be claimed.

Then and Now

In 1911 the Gioletti Government, then in power in Italy, decided upon the conquest of Tripoli. To acquire this province of Northern Africa, then a Turkish possession, a war with the “Ramshackle Empire” was necessary. A young Italian Socialist spoke strongly against the proposal, lie said that an African policy would be fatal to Italy. The future of the Italian people lay in Europe, on well cultivated Italian soil. _ For incitement of the populace lie received five months’ imprisonment. That young Socialist’s name was Benito Mussolini.

Twelve years later that man had become Dictator of Italy. To give him his due he regenerated the State, particularly as regards the cultivation of Italian soil. He made Italy almost entirely independent of imported wheat. He has brought Italy from a somewhat backward condition to a position as one of the great Powers. Now, with his crowded country, but one-sixth larger than New Zealand, containing 26 times our population, he considers that an African policy is of vital necessity to Italy.

The Socialist of 24 years ago is II Ducc of to-day

Contrasting News

A recent cable informs us that Lever Bros., great soap manufacturers at Port Sunlight in Britain, will in future obtain the whole of its electrical power supply from the national plant. It further stated that several other concerns had adopted a similar policy. Shortly before this news arrived, word came from Wellington that a large generating plant, estimated to cost £175,000, was being ordered for that city’s power plant for the purpose of bargaining with the national power supply undertaking. What contrasting attitudes are revealed by those two messages!

Wellington is, however, fortunately possessed of an active public spirit and this soon manifested itself. The executive of the Wellington Ratepayers’ Association has decided to pall a public meeting to protest against the City Council's decision to purchase this expensive plant. The association considers that it appears that councillors had allowed themselves to be rushed into a snap decision vitally affecting the interests of ratepayers. Is it, asks the association, sound civic administration that large capital expenditure should be incurred without giving citizens any opportunity of voicing a considered collective opinion upon the merits of the proposal? Might not the same remarks be applied to the action of the council of this city in regard to a similar proposal?