WEALTH FROM THE LAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19291, 1 April 1926, Page 10

WEALTH FROM THE LAND

MANY FARMS TOO LARGE.

THE IDLE AREAS OF AUCKLAND. To the recent injunctions that New Zealand should increase her exports and decrease her imports, Sir James Parr joined his voice when speaking at a complimentary luncheon tendered him yesterday by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. "I think that the position of New Zealand to-day is financially sound," said Sir James. He would like, however, to uee one or two things brought about, particularly a little less importing and a little more exporting, or, in other words, more production. It was rather unfortunate to find that while prices for our products had soared, the volume had steadily remained at about the same mark for many years, and in some instances had declined. "There riiust and can bo more production," said Sir James. The farms of New Zealand were in many instances too largo for the capital of the men who hold them. These iarms must bo subdivided and more intensely cultivated. New Zealand, he declared, also lagged bohind in tho application or science to industry. .Referring more particularly to tho Auckland Province, Sir James said there were thousands of acres of gum lands in tho North and pumice lands in tho South lying idle. lie was satisfied that the prosperity of Auckland in tho future would he greatly involved in tho exploitation of these lands, the trade from which would flow to tho city. Tho application of science and the assistance of tho Gov ernment, especially in the provision of fertilisers, coupled with the energy of tho men on tho land, would yet convert these so called deserts into gardens of fertility.