AGRICULTURE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1032, 11 December 1891, Page 25

AGRICULTURE.

Promises in. recess are not always followed by performances in session. Nevertheless it is only fair, even to a Ministry from whom on certain points of principle we are obliged to differ, to give fair and reasonable credit for intentions which are assumed to be honest, and which we hope will not add to that vast extent of Plutonic pavement of which the proverb speaks. We have not seen any special reference made to the statements respecting land settlement and the efforts of the Government to help forward local industries, made by the Hon Minister for Lands at an interview in Auckland the other day. Mr McKenzie is personally examining the northern parts of Auckland Provincial District with the view of advancing the interests of these and other localities in the North Is'and—arranging for settlement of lands wherever there are prospects and the blocks are of such a nature as will justify expenditure in opening them for occupation ; aiding in the extension of small farms under the Farm Homestead Association and Village Homestead Regulations, and in expanding the dairy factory system, promoting the progress of the fruit-farming industry, and making enquiries as to experimenting in and the establishment of silk-growing. In short, as Mr McKenzie told his interviewer, his earnest desire and that of his colleagues is to make the Department of Agriculture not merely a name, but “a practical reality.” In order to do this he i 3 making himself personally acquainted with the conditions of the various localities aud their prospects in order to enable him to decide how far expenditure would prove advantageous to the settler and the country.

Regarding the various points and subjects referred to, it is worth noting the figures which the Minister of Lands supplies as to settlement under the farm and village homestead regulations, which we have already mentioned. Mr McKenz e declares that the progress under these regulations have been ‘ ‘ very satisfactory indeed.” The regulations were framed in March last, and, although they provide for only perpetual lease, they have proved more popular thau we believe even the Ministry anticipated, to say nothing of unbelievers like ourselves, who contend that the “ land hunger,”—the desire for freehold possessions—is fixed in the heatft of every man who seeks to possess land as his own on this side of that six feet by two to which we are all supposed to be heirs-apparent. Let Mr McKenzie’s figures tell their own story. Since March last there has been an area of 157,800 acres taken up by 841 people in small farms, which give an average of 188 acres to each applicant, and there is still a desire for more lands under this arrangement. It is only just to say that this number of settlers—persons on the land—and this disposal of 230 square miles of country within eight or mine mouth*, are both creditable and satisfactory. These figures do not include the quantity of land applied for by thirty-six associations, the arrangements for some eighteen of which, are not yet completed, but it is expected that [the Minister will be enabled to place 1200 settlers under this system on the laud before next March. Of cou r se thi3 is an experiment, and we do not doubt that a lage portion of these perpetual lease settlers (whose tenure is certainly favourable as regards their present rent) look forward to the coming of the time, in the hope, we piesume, of an alteration of the law, -when the land they have cultivated shall become a freehold for themselves and their heirs for ever. But however this may be, the people who take up these lands appear to be perfectly siti-ffied, for none cap take from them the actual improvements

they themselves effect, and it is averred - that many of these settlers are better pleased with the long tenure at low rent than with a compulsory purchasing clause, inasmuch as they hope to make more under the low rental than with actual purchase and an outside mortgage at a high rate of interest, with a penal rate for a little possible delay. The progress of the dairy farming industry is really a matter of congratuki' tion. In 1889' the value of the dairy produce exported amounted to only Li 1033, while in 1890 it reached no less a sum than 1,207,687. The dairy experts which the Government have engaged have performed and are performing good service ; and there is practically no limit to the good which can be effected in this direction. It appears that the whole plant fcr a dairy factory can now be procured and erected at a cost of from L6OO to L 700; and thus as the industry advances every knot of settlers within a radius of a few miles, or further where railway conveyance i» within reach, can be provided with a factory to purchase their milk. As uniformity in the excellence of the manufactured article is attained, as it must be •when the experts’ teachings are fully understood and followed, the export of butter and cheese must greatly increase, and we believe that Mr McKenzie’s prediction, that within ten years the value will exceed three-quarters of a million, /ill be more than borne out. He is obtaining the latest information from America as to the method of grading Dutter and? cheese, on which it appears . some of the States have legislated. But this is a very difficult matter, and in most cases had better be left alone, and allow the brand of each factory to testify in the market to its own particular worth. „ . Then in the matter of fruit growing, the Department of Agriculture is alive to the neglected opportunities which our varied and liberal climate presents. We can grow oranges and lemons in the open at Auckland ; figs in abundance, nearly all the sub-tropical fruits ; while apples, pears, peaches and plums yield a harvest of exceeding richness, not even surpassed by the abundant product of the smaller fruits. Fruit experts are to be obtained, and what others have done in the dairy work, these will accomplish for the fruit-growing industry—which ought in time to supply all our own wants, and export a large and profitable surplus. A 3 for sericulture, in the soft and balmy district of Wangarei, it is proposed to ask the local authorities who have charge of the nursery reserves to set apart 2o acres and plant them with mulberry trees as a nucleus for the silkworm culture, winch in the season, whcu the time conies, could he attended to by children, ar d lay the foundation of wliat may ultimately _become a proStab'e employment. The main portions of the programme as specified by Mr McKenzie we have here enumerated and remarked on. The good intentions are apparent, and deserve credit If they are realised, we do not doubt that such credit will be accorded, even by those who, like ourselves, are not en rapport with Ministers nor with the whole of their policy.