BACK FROM AUSTRALIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 5 July 1939, Page 10

BACK FROM AUSTRALIA

YOUNG FARMERS’ TOUR DAIRYING MORE ADVANCED IN NEW ZEALAND >' ,'ir *»«l I'lerni A Knoi'iHi ion ■ NEW PLYMOUTH, 4th July. Dairying was definitely more advanced in New Zealand than in Australia, said the manager of the South Taranaki young farmers, who recently toured New South Wales, Mr J. E. Davies. It was found in the central andj northern districts of New South Wales that only about 10 per cent of farmers milked with milking machines. Many farmers milked herds of 75 cows by hand. In the main, farmers supplied i milk for Sydney household distribution, the surplus milk being made into butter. The Australian farmers were definitely more stock-minded than grassminded, said Mr Davies. A great see-

. tion of the farming community spoke of production a beast and not production j an acre in regard to their stock. They \ were exceptionally show-minded. There was no agricultural workers' award or specified hours. The average farm hand received from 15s to £ 1 a week and . his keep. The standard of the homesteads could not be compared with , those in New Zealand. The surround- . ing of many homes were drab and, there was not the same air of settlejjment as in New Zealand. Many of . the farm houses seemed almost like j temporary places of abode.