THE TURNING POINT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16373, 22 June 1927, Page 3

THE TURNING POINT

IN AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY

VIEWS OP HON..U. J. HAWKEN

"Everywhere I go I lind that farmers are asking for more and more help from the "department," stated Hon. 0. J. Hawken, Minister for Agriculture, when speaking ab the Manawatu A. and P. Association's smoke concert. "We have at the present time,".ho stated, "over ,500 officers of the department trying to help the farmers iii their work. As instructors in the various divisions they go round tho country, and 1 believe that their visits are appreciated by the farmers. Some say that the expense of education on these lines is too great, hut let me tell you this: I bcliove that educatioh is the coping stone of the system we have attempted to put into force for many yeiU's past. "When the Agricultural College here starts operations-—and everything, is in train—an undoubted incentive to the working of the department will be provided, and there will be an immense benefit to the farmers. It is ail very well for the farmer to say that, in his work, he does not need a high-class education, but he is wrong. Intensive farming is coming in; tho old style has to pass and the better class of farming will take its place. If the farmer is to do better, education must come, to his assistance and teach him methods that he has never attempted in the past. We have the climate and the land, and I believe it is only a. matter of education lor the exports of this country to be increased.

"1 know," the Minister proceeded, "that the fanners have been grumbling that labor costs are too high, and that they can't get the necessary supply of labor. While the Government is'employing a very large number of men this winter, it does nut waul to employ them next spring, and we would like you who are farmers to help us out when the spring , comes round. There ore farmers, I know, who are hard up and will find it difficult to set aside money for that purpose, but there are some who can employ extra hands, and if they do so it will be for the benefit of the country. It is important that the production of the country should be kept up and that these men should be employed. "The dairyman in New Zealand has been the backbone of the country for many years, and lie is going to be so for many years to come. Last season there was an improvement in the quality of our produce that was the greatest we have ever had, and 1 believe that if is going to be maintained. ■ I don't take the view that things are so bad as many make out; J believe that the turning point has been reached. As a sheep farmer," concluded Air. Hawken, "I have felt very uneasy for the last few years about the trend of the market, but I feel confident now that, in all branches of farming, we aro down to bedrock, and that the prospect is for tho better." (Loud applause.]