WONDERFUL PROGRESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22718, 2 November 1935, Page 2

WONDERFUL PROGRESS

BRITAIN SHOWS THE WAY GREAT ACTIVITY IN BUILDING The wonderful progress in housing conditions, transport, roading and agriculture in Great Britain was remarked on in Christchurch by Mr W. Holmes, who has returned to Christchurch after an extended tour. Mr Holmes is advertising manager for the International Harvester Company of New Zealand, Ltd. He said that he motored 10,000 miles in England, Scotland and Ireland, and the advances made since his last trip 15 years ago were amazing. New homes were being built in all parts of the country, said Mr Holmes. The detached and semi-detached bungalows were in great contrast to the old type of tenement building. The National Government claimed that a million new houses had been built during its term, and, judging by the activity evident, that figure would soon be exceeded. Huge blocks of flats, covering about the area of a New Zealand city block, had been built and were still being built. Rents were reasonable, . but some' flats cost up to £2OOO a year. It could be, said, however, that rent was very often paid for the address rather than for the actual buildings. For the most part, however, housing was cheap in comparison with New Zealand. So great was the building activity, said Mr Holmes, that it made •the visitor wonder where all the people lived before. DEMAND FOR CARS. Motor buses and cars were in increasing demand, as the enormous sales made at the recent Olympia motor show would prove. The courtesy shown by drivers of both private and commercial vehicles on the roads could well be emulated in New Zealand. The cars were practically ail recent models. Cars bought prior to 1930 had little trade in or market value. Cars were valued on their year of manufacture, and a pamphlet was issued monthly by the Motor Dealers' Association setting out the value of each year's model. The roads were excellent, either of bitumen or concrete. It was interesting to note that the concrete was laid to a depth of 18 inches. By-pass roads had to be constructed to divert traffic in the congested areas. Farming in Great Britain and Ulster was in a flourishing state. The farmers there were better off than anywhere else. In comparison with New Zealand, land was cheap. A good farm could be leased for 10s an acre. All the milk was handled by the Milk Marketing Board, which fixed the price to consumer and retailer. MILK PRICES. A deduction was made for the surplus, after the demand for liquid milk wag fulfilled, and a cartage equalisation fund was in existence so that a uniform price could be paid to all producers. For August, the month before Mr Holmes left for New Zealand, the net price, after allowing for the handling of the surplus, the Milk Marketing Board's expenses, and. the equalisation fund, was slightly over lOd a gallon. On the basis of two gallons and a-half of milk to one pound of butter-fat, that gave the farmer well over 2g a pound, which was much in excess of what the New Zealand farmer was receiving. That price was for one of the peak production months and prices varied according to the supply. Pork was sold also at a fixed price which showed a good profit. Wheat and beef prices were subsidised, and also sugar beet. The farmers were rapidly becoming power-minded. That was brought about to a large extent by the high rate of wages. Tractors and power machines were in increasing demand. Generally speaking, the New Zealand farmer was more efficient and more up-to-date than the farmer of the Old Country. New Zealand stock, too, could hold its own. On the average, the stock on any New Zealand farm would be of a higher grade than that on the English farm. NEW ZEALAND STOCK. With all due deference to the opinion of Lord Bledisloe. said Mr Holmes, he did not think that New Zealand required to import any stock from Great Britain. The stock Mr Holmes saw at the Belfast Show and the Royal Show at Newcastle-on-Tyne was not any better than that seen at any good show in New Zealand.

There were, of course, more classes at the shows, but that arose from the fact that there were a lot more breeds than there were in the Dominion. Little or no effort had been made to improve tlis class of wool in England. The farmersreceived such good prices for mutton and lamb that they were not greatly concerned about wool. Mr Holmes discussed the matter with prominent New Zealand farmers in England at the time, and they were all of the opinion that the introduction of the merino strain could be profitably carried out there. Mr Holmes said that he took the opportunity of discussing New Zealand butter with everyone with whom he came in contact, together with the managers of several large stores. The store managers assured him that the quality was excellent. The butter opened up well and was well received by the public. It was interesting to note that New Zealand butter was retailing at Is 5d in the West End, compared with Is 2d for Danish. Those in the trade were very optimistic concerning prospects for the present season. _ They said it would command a good price for this season, at any rate. Generally speaking, there was a tone of confidence and optimism evident in trade. More people were in work, and it was felt that there wag a period of prosperity ahead.