VISIT OF FARMERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21404, 31 January 1933, Page 10

VISIT OF FARMERS

RETURN TO VICTORIA

NEW ZEALAND IMPRESSIONS BENEFIT GAINED FROM TOUR The party of Victorian farmers which Jus toured New Zealand since arriving at Auckland on January 17 left by the Monterey yesterday afternoon for Melbourne. The members, who numbered 77, have visited a large number of places in the North Island and also paid a brief visit to the South Island. They arrived at .Auckland at four o'clock yesterday afternoon on the express from Rotorua, and were driven in motor-buses direct t<> the Monterey, which sailed at 5 p.m. A number of them purchased stock in Taranaki and the South Island. Sixteen of the visitors are remaining on an extended holiday.

"We were very much interested and delighted with all we saw," said Air. E. G. Ham, secretary of the Bendigo Agricultural and Pastoral Society, who acted also as secretary of the tour. "We are greatly appreciative of the hospitality we received from overyono and were particularly struck with the warm-heartedness of New Zealand primary producers. On behalf of tlie party I wish to thank the representatives of the Farmers' Union, the agricultural societies and other organisations, including the officers of the Tourist and Railways Departments, who helped to make our visit so pleasant. "We feel that New Zealand has only touched the fringe of its primary producing potentialities. We admired the neat lay-out of your farms, particularly tho dairy farms, especially in the Auckland and Taranaki Provinces. In tho South Island we found more of common interest, in wheat-growing and lamb-raising, and considered that the close attention that has been paid to raising the host types of breeds for the export market has been outstanding. "It is our belief that our visit, in its humble capacity, has further cemented the bonds of friendship between the two Dominions, for we have much in common. The value to ourselves of this visit makes us feel that New Zealand farmers should be induced to visit Australia. In some respects you are ahead of us in methods of production, but wo can show you some things to your advantage. "On behalf, of the party I thank all New Zealanders who have done so much to mako our stay so pleasant, interesting and educative. Doubtless we shall come back again. The Bendigo Agricultural and Pastoral Society, which organised this tour, conducts «i similar tour each year, and the success of our visit to New Zealand will make us turn our thoughts your way once more.".