FARMS IN DEMAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 May 1936, Page 9

FARMS IN DEMAND

HIGH PRICES ASKED BUYERS SHOWING CAUTION SALES DIFFICULT TO' EFFECT Farming properties in the Auckland district are reported to be in good" dey niand, but owing to the Government’s plans for the payment of a guaranteed price lor dairy produce and the prospects of a further improvement in wool values, farmers are not disposed to sell readily unless' high prices are offered (states the “Herald”). The result is that farming properties are steadily rising in value and land agents are experiencing increasing difficulty in satisfying the price requirements of prospective buyers. It was stated that while a number of sales had,been effected, buyers were making their purchases cautiously. They were insisting upon inspecting a number of properties and comparing values before making their decision. Properties near Auckland especially were in good demand, but many prospective buyers considered that the prices were too high. The increase in the rates for sheep, cattle and cows, one agent explained, wac also causing buyers to hesitate in their purchase of properties. All were asking themselves how long prices would keep up. It had been pointed out to them, however, that the outlook was good and that if a- man was going to delay purchasing until values came down he might have to wait a long time.

Not only the prospective purchaser, but also many farmers, it was stated, were in a. quandary as to what course they should adopt. They still did not know how things were going to work out. “For instance,” gaid one agent, “an experienced farmer told me the other day that he thought the Government had sold thorn a pup. and that until it grew up they did not know whether it would be a humble fox terrier or an Alsatian, which might bite them.”

Another land agent said a large number of buyers were coming from the South, but they were all staying in the Waikato. There farms were selling freely, with prices hardening all the time.

The good prospects for wool and the high prices for fat lambs, it was stated, had caused some farmers to change from dairying to sheep. This tendency, however, was as yet limited to a few cases, but it was thought that if would increase later, owing to labour problems that would arise on dairy farms.