BRIGHT TIMES AHEAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20174, 7 February 1929, Page 10

BRIGHT TIMES AHEAD.

GOOD RETURNS TO FARMERS.

"A WONDERFUL SEASON."

THE VALUE Or SCIENCE

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Tlio opinion that New Zealand had "turned tho cornor" was expressed by Mr, W. J. Poison, M.P., president of tho Now Zealand Farmers' Union, when upenking at a meoting of tho executive today.

"We are having a wonderfully bountiful season, wliich ia enabling us to take advantage of tho satisfactory prices which aro ruling not in one or two, but in all tho most important branches of farming," he said. "Not only are butter and cheese realising satisfactory pricos, but prices for wool, mutton, lamb and beef are all higher than most farmors expected. The result must bo beneficial to tho whole country. All classes will participate. Unemployment will cease. "Tho policy of tho new Government to assist* settlers by arranging advances at a cheaper rate will improve tho position for borrowors when the opportunity occurs. Unfortunately, tho immediate requirements of Imperial finance have impeded the carrying out of Sir Joseph Ward's full programme, but I imagine tho Government will overcome this difficulty and good prices will materially assist in doing so.

"The warning given to dairy farmers by so experienced an authority as Sir Thomas Clements must not bo overlooked. Sir Thomas declared that we were sacrificing flavour in our butter to keeping qualities, ond urged us not to interfere with the full butter-fat content, of our cheese. He warned us that our competitors were recruiting science to their aid in an endeavour to retain their position in the markets, and that we were neglecting to profit by their experience. His advice is so sound wo ought to be grateful for it, and it is Ar duty as a farmers' organisation to bring constant pressure to boar upon tho Government in order that these all-important subjects may bo more fully investigated,"

INCREASES IN PRODUCTION. COMMENTS BY MINISTER. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] TAURANGA, Wednesday. The season promised to bo a phenomenal one for the primary producers, said the Minister of Education, Hon. 11. Atmore, in his address at the formal opening of the Tauranga show. The* gradings of butter for the five months ended December 31 amounted to 43,693 tons, representing a 5 per cent, increase over the amount graded for the corresponding months of the previous season. The increase in cheese production for the same period equalled 12 per cent., with an aggregate of 39,601 tons. The Auckland district gradings of butter for the same period represented 28,728 tons, compared with 26,566 tons for the corresponding period of the previous season. The cheese output was 6371 tons, compared with 5581 tons. The lamb and sheep returns showed a remarkable increase.

LEr. Atmpre briefly touched on tho policy of the present Government in connection with closer land settlement, which, he said, was absolutely necessary as one of the remedies for unemployment. Ho dealt with the necessity for cheaper money, especially for the farmers. Tho Minister visited Te Puke this afternoon and leaves here for Auckland by train to-morrow morning.