THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 11

THE NORTH ISLAND.

(From Oub Own Cobbkspond2NT.) The weeks have been comparatively dry, and, though the nights nave been cold, tne days nave been generally sunny. Growth has therefore been satisiactory. In some ot the coastal districts txiere appears to be plenty of teed at present, though if a severe wintex follows the dry autumn- plenty of stock are going to go short, in tne Waihi district trosts have been frequent, and, combined wath the comparatively liglit rainfall, have had the effect of checking the growth of the young grass recently sown on the various holdings on the Waihi Plain. In spite o*f tnese drawbacks, however, the results promise to be satisfactory, and there will be a considerable increase in the area of dairying land. En passant, it may be mentioned that as a result- of the improvements in the district the Waihi Settlers' Association is again moving in the direction of the establishment in the district of a co-opera-tive butter factory. Apropos of the prospect of a feed shortage in some parts, there is no doubt whatever that the best farmers are those who have made provision for the stock they are depasturing, and there are quite a number about. At the same time, where you find one of that class you have no difficulty in running against dozens of the other kind, who accept all manner of risks, so long as they are not compelled to go out with the plough. However, times are changing, and those who are going to succeed are the men who think of their stock _ as well as themselves. Intensive cultivation will have to be followed if this Dominion is to increase its exports to any appreciable extent.

Ihe readjustment of the farm labour situation arising out of the taking of so many thousand soldiers from the farms of this country, and the acute demand for agricultural help growing out of the call for increased production, promises to be easier of accomplishment than was thought possible before the armistice. Not only is a very large proportion of the soldiers from rural regions returning .to their respective . districts since demobilisation began, but many young men formerly of the cities and towns seem to be impressed with the idea- that open-air employment in a few respects at least not dissimilar to soldier life might be desirable. It will, of course, take some of the men a little time to settle down, but if farmers will only provide suitable homes and better living conditions the life must obviously appeal to men who have experienced hardships in the city as a result of poor living conditions, high cost of hying, and other unusual expenses. For three or four years farms have been short of labour, and much work has been allowed to go undone. There is now an opportunity for farmers to pet a supply of labour which can be used in laying drains, building fences, clearing weeds, etc, repairing buildings, and in other ways making improvements and placing the farm in the condition in which they wish to see it. LAND BOOM IN AUCKLAND. The return of so many men to the north is creating a tremendous lot of work in the Land Department owing to the fact that, with eaoh returning ship there is a large quota of men who are anxious to take up land on property under the facilities afforded by the State. It would seem that the North Auckland Lands > Department is finding difficulty in dealing, with the flood of applicants seeking land and houses. It is true that the bulk of the applications are for house properties in city and suburban areas, but there are many genuine seekers after land for productive purposes. The North Auckland Board is now meeting fortnightly to deal with the booming business, instead of meeting monthly, and even so finds difficulty in dealing with the volume of applications. There are increasing indications that the men who are now coming back are ready and anxious to go on the land, provided a fair opportunity is afforded them of making a reasonably good- living. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. Important evidence was also given by Mr F. J. Nathan relative to the dairy industry. He said that he appeared • before the Commision to stress the necessity for some little encouragement to the dairy companies on the part of the Government in matter of scientific investigation. He emphasised the apathy on the part of the State, and said that it did not even do as much as the local bodies and send somebody to England for scientific research. The dairy companies had nobody whom they could consult in New Zealand—not even the Agricultural Department. There was nobody with the training sufficient to undertake scientifio research. When thoso mtereated in -the dairying Industry wanted to go Into, research matters they had to go Home. In +his conneotion he pointed out that the dairy companies did not know how to manufeature of the products obtained from crude casein. "We cannot," he remarked, "gather any information on the subject here. I contend that there is nobody hero to whom we can look to gain any further knowledge on the subject." Continuing, ne took the Government to task for not having yet established a dairy school in some centre. The trouble was that as sopn as it was proposed to establish such an institution in any particular place, there was fcn outburst of parochialism from other distrVts. who insisted on tho school being established In their locality in preference to the claims of any other distriot, and the Government had not the backbone to com-

bat all this and go ahead and establish a school in any one district to servo tho whole country. A dairy school was seriously wanted for tho future welfare of the industry in tho Dominion. At present the factory managers had no means of gaining experience relative to - the various by-pro-ducts that had been discovered in recent years. The Government did not seem prepared to pay fob anybody to come out to New Zealand and undertake scientific research work in connection w:th the industry. There were any number of competent men abroad well versed.in the subject who would come out here if there was sufficient inducement offering. _ The matter was of vital interest to the industry, because the quality of tho butter in the Dominion was not what it was several years ago. There were probably several causes for this, but it was an absolute truism all the the same. Mr Nathan’s observations should carry great weight, particularly as the need for improving the quality of our dairy products has been discussed for some time past. MEAT TOR EXPORT. Farmers in the North Island are greatly perturbed over the continuance ot dry weather, and there is not tho slightest doubt that if early relief does not come soon in the matter of meat stocks, farmers are likely to be hampered in the disposal of fat stock. In Auckland the position is particularly acute. At Horotiu, which serves tho Waikato and King Country, the works have been closed since April 17, and ■ will not reopen until some of the cheese and meat in store is cleared by the Oorinthic, which is due in Auckland any day now. This vessel will, load large quantities of cheese, and meat, including lambs, that have been in store for over two years. shipment should, at least, alleviate the position for the remainder of the season. ,In South Auckland and North Auckland districts a still more acute position prevails. Killings at Southdown works ■have been restricted for some time, and the works will be fully stocked by the time this gets into print. It is anticipated that the Gorinthio will afford relief in this case also, and thus permit of operations on a reduced scale to be continued for two or three weeks. Beyond that period, however, there is no certainty in regard to the ability to carry on, and unless further shipping space is made available within the period mentioned the works will have to be closed.