THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20520, 22 March 1930, Page 12

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

INTEREST IN FARMING.

LESSONS FROM DOMINION.

CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND.

AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE.

[BY TELEGRAPH.-—O.WN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Friday.

While agreeing that farming pursuits had occupied a very largo part of his somewhat busy life, His Excellency tho Gov-ernor-General, Lord Bledisloe, replying to the welcome extended to him in tho Towh Hall last night, said ho had not come to Now Zealand to poso as an expert, but rather in tho hope that he would learn something. "Reference has been made on more than one occasion, and it has certainly been made to-night," said His Excellency, "to my association with tho farming industry in the Motherland. I want to make it perfectly clear to you that although amid a large number of industrial activities as- well as Parliamentary activities agriculture and animal husbandry have formed no small part, I do not come to this country, rich in fertile lands and agricultural knowledge and experience, with the idea that I am going to teach anybody on the land anything. Still less do J come hero as what is. sometimes described as a pundit. I come hero to learn. After all, tho conditions here differ from tho conditions at Home. They differ in ono respect. 'Tho farmers here, although being farmers they no doubt grumble, enjoy some small measure —of course, I dare not exaggerate—of prosperity. I am sorry to say that in the Old Country tho farmers are passing through a seriously-depressed experience and I am sure the farmers' throughout New Zealand must feel sympathy for their fellow-agriculturists on the other sido of the world.

".Agriculture is the leading industry of every great country and I say that with no hesitation. In an urban community such as this, as was pointed out at the International Economic Congress at Geneva in 1927, it is to the advantage of the world at largo and to every country in the world that they should recognise what was described as the essential interdependence of the agricultural industry and commerce. A very great British statesman said some 60 years ago 'A nation which neglects its agriculture is doomed to decay.' Here in Wellington you have a certain number of secondary industries very largely based on the primary industries. I am sure you will agree with me when I suggest that it is in the interests of every growing city such as Wellington that your farmers should bo reasonably prosperous." NEW ZEALAND GOODS. COMBATING UNEMPLOYMENT LORD BLEDISLOE'S SUGGESTION. That increased consumption of New Zealand-mado goods would mitigate unemployment in the Dominion was a suggestion advanced by the Governor-Gen-eral, Lord Bledisloe, when replying to the Government welcome at Wellington. ' "Unemployment, that incubus of practically every country, unfortunately, I learn, exists among you," said His Excellency. "I pray it may not be of long duration. It is a delicate problem that not merely taxes the highest ingenuity of statesmanship but calls for the assistance of all patriotic pcoplo in seeking a solution.

"Without presuming as a newcomer to offer advice, am I wrong in suggesting that it can be at least mitigated by the increased consumption of the products of your own country, by the application of scientific knowledge and true economic value to industrial practico, by sympathetic co-opcration between employer and employed, and by the credit which flows from unflagging integrity in all business undertakings, which New Zealand enjoys V-

HOSPITAL PATIENTS.

HER EXCELLENCY'S VISIT.

[BY TFXEGTUriI.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Friday.

The patients at the Wellington Public Hospital had a pleasant surprise this morning when Her Excellency Lady Bledisloe paid an unofficial and quite unexpected visit to the institution. Her Excellency, who made it quite clear to tho officials of the hospital that the visit was informal, visited the various 'wards and conversed for a few. minutes with the patients. Her Excellency's action, in paying such an early visit to the hospital • was very' warmly appreciated.