FARMING METHODS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24135, 29 November 1941, Page 8

FARMING METHODS

Sir,—ln a recent issue of the Herald there was a report of remarks made by Mr, C. V. Smith in his presidential address to the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation Conference, to wit, "The solution of the farmers' problem lies along the lines of more diversified, more modern and more intensive farming with the assistance of industrial production." During the last few years a great deal of claptrap has been talked and written about the farmers' need of "more modern and scientific methods," "diversified farming," "intensive farming," etc., etc., ad lib but when a man of Mr. Smith's obvious standing | announces a solution of our problems then it must be time to sit up and take notice. There is no industry as internationally important as farming, but unfortunately its troubles are world-wide and it behoves our best brains to seek for the causes of these troubles, and if possible to find a cure.^ Farmers don't object to being told how to manage their business by someone who knows his business, so if Mr. Smith's remarks are correctly reported I challenge him to give us the whole story, and explain how we can cure our ills by "diversifying," "intensifying" and '"modernising." If he can do this in a practical manner then thousands of men, women and children in the most sweated industry in the country will bless his name. If he can't do this —well, we all know_ the old one about the cobbler and his last. Makaran. Stuart Brown .