NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY Registered for transmission through, the post as a newspaper. TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1924. BETTER STOCK.

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1924, Page 4

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY Registered for transmission through, the post as a newspaper. TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1924. BETTER STOCK.

In the course of 'his annual report to Parliament the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Xosworthv, spoke very impressively of the outlook for primary produce. It was evident, he remarked, that New Zealand must bo prepared in the near future to meet increasing competition with most of its staple exports on the world's markets, and this would be accompanied with a lower range of values. The Minister suggested as a means of meeting these conditions a self-reliant course, which would include "increased efficiency at all points," better farmingpractice, increased output, higher quality of produce, and lower cost of production, handling, transport and marketing. There is really nothing very new in the Minister's ideas; he speaks just plain commonsense, the truth of which is readily apparent to everyone who thinks seriously. We all know that in the dairy produce business of the world New Zealand is facing ever-growing competition; that the meat trade is competing against very stern South American opposition; that a number of countries which grow wool are seeking to improve and increase their output. The more they all strive to attain still better results than they have done in the past the more this country must devote itself to the improvement of its primary production. "Well directed scientific research can be of great and far-reaching assistance at all points," Mr Nosworthy has declared. "We should ~ not presume too much on the natural advantages of our country, but build well and soundly on the fine foundation they have given us." This is advice

that is particular!;- ai-i • to North Auckliind, whep- ih-- .lunate as a rule is wonderfully Vn-i and the *soil is readily respon>i\ i- ' f < cultivation. The natural are so favourable that it would tvi • isv to forgive farmers in the Xiuli. 1 •they did not try very hard to n;;iKe the most of their opportunities; bm as the dairying industry has developed farming methods in the North certainly have • been, inrproved. The annual meetings . of dairy companies in. this district during the past few weeks have served to emphasise -the points that the output of dairy produce is increasing steadily and that for the most part the methods adopted by the companies are enauring the maintenance of a good standard of quality. This is as it should be. Not merely for the benefit of the individual farmers but also for the sake of the whole district and the whole Dominion, whose principal industry is now dairying, it is essential that there should be progress. It rests with the State and the dairy companies to promote scientific research as far as they can, with the dairy farmers to see that their land is made productive and their cattle are well fed and cared for, and with j the breeders of stock to ensure the maintenance of good strains of blood. Nowadays, of course, every farmer is interested in breeding, and it is gratifying to know that in the Whangarei district and elsewhere in North Auckland farmers and breeders are doing much to improve their herds. Enterprise and initiative are being shown more freely every year in the importation of high-class cattle into the North and in the breeding of stock from the I best obtainable sources. The efforts made by one progressive individual inspire and encourage others; when one man sees that his neighbour has something better than he has himself the spirit of rivalry is promoted. When the people of a whole district have an opportunity of seeing the best stock in the district they all gather encouragement from the experience. The best opportunity that they can have is afforded by the agricultural and pastoral shows, and in North Auckland the Whangarei Show and other exhibitions are providing just such opportunities. In the case of 'Whangarei a notably strong inducement to exhibit was offered to the owners of the best cattle when a fine pavilion for their stock was erected on the showground. Owners can now send their highly prized animals to the Whangarei Show knowing that they will be housed under the best possible, condiitons. The Whangarei Agricultural and Pastoral Society undertook a big obligation when it built the pavilion, but the undertaking was thoroughly justified and will prove its worth more fully each year. In order that t'he debt on the pavilion may be liquidated the Society is seeking help of the farming community, asking .farmers to give stock, which they can perhaps spare more easily than they can spare cash. The benefits that farmers receive from the shows are sufficient to justify the Society in looking to them for lielp, and this will, no doubt, be realised by the farmers themselves. The Whangarei Sub-provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union last week endorsed the Society's request very enthusiastically, and it is to be hoped that the branches of the Union will readily co-operate with the Society in its laudable endeavour to do good work for the North.