WEALTH FROM LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20256, 16 May 1929, Page 12

WEALTH FROM LAND.

PRODUCTION IN NORTH. GREAT EXHIBITS AT SHOW. WARM TRIBUTE BY MINISTER. GOOD PROSPECTS FOR FARMERS. [BY TELEGRAPH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANGAREI, Wednesday. The Whangarei Winter Show was officially opened by the Hon, J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Industries and Commerce, today. Mr. L. W. Nelson, president of the Whangarei Agricultural and Pastoral Association, congratulated the district on what had been achieved this year. He wished to express appreciation for the action of the Departments of Agriculture and Forestry in bringing their splendid exhibits to Whangarei. Mr. W. Jones, Mayor of Whangarei, welcomed tho Minister on behalf of the residents. As the Minister was a farmer what ho had to say would be well worth hearing by the farming community. Mr. A. J. Murdoch, M.P. for the district, congratulated tho people who had made the show the success it was. Praise for the Jersey Cow. The Minister said lie was pleased to be at the show, tho second largest lie had attended. He congratulated tho district on tho fine exhibition. Although ho camo from a good district, Feilding, himself, the Whangarei district was a highly favoured one. It had good land, a good climate, a good harbour and good people. Seldom, if over, hadjie seen a better exhibition of roots and fruits. Some of the mangels he had handled that afternoon were the best he had ever seen. Tho exhibition of butter and cheese was wonderful, showing that tho cow, and' particularly tho Jersey cow, was ono of tho greatest contributors toward the wealth of the Dominion. If the people ever decided upon the monument to the individual or thing that had played the most important part in tho development and prosperity of tho country it should bo to the Jersey cow, said Mr. Cobbe. It had done more than all the politicians rolled into one. With regard to the meat industry, if he could foretell the market next year lie would bo in a position to make a fortune. However, no one could definitely say what prices were going to be, but prospects on the whole were good. He would not say that excessively high prices were going to be obtained by the farmer, but he was sure they were going to get very fair prices. The ravages of foot-and-mouth disease in the Argentine must have a beneficial effect on the prices of stock in this country. In his district the fat lamb market was the chief one. Their j experience was that the Romney mother mated with the black-faced ram produced the best results. Good Trade Outlook, The prospects for wool were very fair indeed. The tendency was to go back to the stronger classes of wool. The fine wools had enjoyed a long run, but the liomney breeders were now coming into their own. The pig industry was growing enormously throughout the country. One feature was exportation of frozen pork, which in the Minister's district had netted about 6d a pound to the producers. The outlook for the Dominion was particularly good, continued the Minister. In round figures the exports last year had amounted to £57,000,000, while the imports totalled £45,000,000, leaving a balance of £12,000,000 on the export side of the ledger. Two years ago the balance was something like £4,000,000 on th§ opposite side. A fact that farmers should be particularly proud of was that of tho £57,000,000 worth of exports £53,250,000 came off the land. The latest bank returns showed that the deposits exceeded advances by something like £9,000,000. Two years ago the advances oxceeded the deposits by approximately £5,000,000. Mr. Cobbe hoped that the improved financial position would not lead to undue extravagance on the part of the people or to excessive importations on the part of business men. In the cities this was a much more serious matter than in the country districts. It was impossible for the Government to go on indefinitely subsidising relief works, some of which were not altogether remunerative. His idea was that, tho problem would npver be completely dealt with until the Dominion went in to a greater extent for closer settlement and more intensive farming. The Minister again congratulated the people of the district upon their wonderful display and declared the show officially opened. EXHIBITION AT TAURANGA. SUCCESS OF FIXTURE. MANY EXCELLENT DISPLAYS. [BV TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] TAUKANGA, Wednesday. The first winter exhibition held at Tauranga took place to-day. Tho show was ofliuially opened this afternoon by Mr. C. E, Macmillan, M.P., and will extend over four days. The attendance was very large. There are good exhibits of farm crops, vegetables, fruit, home industries, fancy needlework, school children's work and numerous trade displays. Prior to the opening of the show there was a procession of decorated vehicles and pedestrians attired in fancy costume through the town. The prize-winners were:—Commercial motor vehicle, C. Hayman. Private car: House and Moncur. Bicycle: Miss Conway. Decorated perambulator: Miss A. Beale. The Taurariga Citrus Association have an outstanding exhibit of iemons. Tho association has just doubled the capacity of its curing depot, which now has accommodation for 5000 cases of lemons. Tho exhibit of maize is particularly good. The winners of first prizes in the various sections are:— Produce. Vegetables. Mesdamcs Maltby, Fitzsimmous, Graham, P, T. Keam, W. M. Douglas; Miss Butcher; J. B. Rodgcrs, It. Youngson, J. L. Blomquist, A. E. Campion, H. G. Lever, F. W. Keam, A. Marsh, A. C. Harrison, C. ,T. Millar, IL D. Harrison, L. Rowsell, J. Christmas, 11. Bickers. Fruit Classes.—Misses Butcher, I). Bobbins and A. Robins; M. Hansen, C. Bidder, G. Tcbbs, J. L. Blomquist, G. Jackson, J, IT. Davidson, P. Densem. Home Industries.—Mesdamcs J. H. Armstrong, A. F,. Plummer, B. P. Baigcnt, L. Green, G. Lasenby. F. 11. Hammond, W. Tanner, Biggs, Lever, Firrnin, Wilson, Watt, • Pascoe, Candy, Tonkin, Rishetfn, Hall, Carnachan, Thodny, Ibbetson, Warner and James; Misse.s Humphrevs, Harrison, M. Ward, MacDougall, M. 'E. Beale, Candy, P. Mountfort, Maltby, Davidson, B. Tsherwood, Pfiscoe, Simpson, Parkinson, B. Parker (Auckland), and Mr. A. J. Meams. The judging of school children's classes will be completed to-morrow. • The poultry and dogs will be judged on Friday. The success attending the exhibition has exceeded expectations, 'and it is hoped to mako it an annual fixture.