THE COLONY'S OUTLOOK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13497, 25 May 1907, Page 6

THE COLONY'S OUTLOOK.

VIEWS OF FARMERS.

INDUCEMENTS FOR IMMIGRANTS.

With a view to giving the judges and exhibitors an opportunity of meeting each other, the Agricultural and Pastoral Association arranged a smoke concert and social, which took place in the Federal Club Rooms last evening. Some of. the judges were unable to be present.'. - Several of the judges were present, : also a number I of exhibitors and . others. Mr. J. G. Rutherford, ex-president of the association, occupied the ohair The Chairman said the Winter Show was something new to Auckland. They had not had much experience in such shows, and they hoped that any defects would be remedied in the future. So far as they could see at present the show would be a financial success. The exhibits in all classes were very creditable to the Auckland province. (Hear, hear.) '~ They were delighted ; with the ' assistance rendered "and the display made by those in charge of the local industries exhibit. The output of butter .should be doubled in a few years, especially if more land's were opened for settlement. . They had the land and the climate for producing an enormous quantity of butter. The Agri-

cultural "Departments were to be ■ congratulated on the fine display they had made, which; was the best ever seen in the colony. Mr. F. W. Lang,' M.H.R., proposed the toast, " The "Agricultural J Interests." He remarked that the agricultural interest was the most important in the colony. ■'■■<. The Auckland province ought to feel proud of the position it occupied in butter. They had heard a ( good deal about town and country. Such animosity should not exist. The figures showed an enormous increase in a little over 10 years. ; If every piece of land now occupied by rabbits and noxious weeds was producing butter, meat, wool, and" other.,'articles :of export, r 'i what would bur prosperity be? What New Zealand wanted was more population. They knew what other colonies ' were doing, notably, Canada, to induce more population, and what the Australian States were offering. What inducement was there in New Zealand to bring people here? The only thing was the Land Bill, and he was afraid that would not induce people to come here. There was something wrong when people were even leaving the colony. It was something worse when they saw our own settlers going away from New Zealand. < In the county where he resided there were four or five young fellows "leaving New Zealand and going to Canada. These young fellows had exceptional opportunities to go on the land here, and were natives. The reason "was, that, the inducement, to settle on the land was not what it should be.' , _ r - ' ! Acknowledging the toast, Mr. Reynolds, of the Waik'ato, hoped the city people would-look" after their own interests and leave the country people alone to look after their own affairs. The importance of the agricultural and pastoral interests was shown in the prosperity of the towns. Young men were beginning to realise that this country was not a place for a mar, with push. He knew of one man who bad sold his farm for £10 000 with the intention of going to the Argentine. They should try and stem the tide of emigration. They were to be congratulated on having such a press as they had, especially a paper like the New Zealand Hkbald. He hoped that the inducements that were offered to take away the ; young men from ; this ; country '-would soon not be greater than the inducement offered in New Zea, laud to keep them, and induce others tocome. '. , . . ,i • Mr John Massey, president of the association, . in proposing ,■; the toast of ; the "Judges," hoped that the Winter Show would be an annual institution. Messrs. Mennie (who- assured the ; gathering .there, was no antagonism between town and country), J. W. Tibbs, Shirley, A. A. Thornton, and Reynolds returned thanks, all assuring the gathering of the high^class of the exhibits. •--.'••■/., •; ■• . ~•.. Dr. Stopford proposed the toast of the " Agricultural Association." ; He referred to the great success that attended the association's: shows. Mr. C. T. Barriball responded. ' ,',._.'! During the evening an excellent musical programme, was carried out. Marriage's orchestra rendered a number of selections, and Messrs. Aulesbrook, Bennett, and Rogers also rendered musical items, while Mr. Herbert gave ' a recitation, Mr. McElwain a sketch, and Mr. Leslie an exhibition of whistling. : Mr. H. E. Light was accompanist. ' ; : .'..,,-•.- . -..."