THE MAN ON THE LAND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16620, 10 April 1928, Page 2

THE MAN ON THE LAND

EVE OF PROSPEROUS ERA A FARMER'S OPINION 1 Almost all branches of the farming industry in New Zealand are drawing hear the close of a season which has been a most profitable, one, and on« Which will do a great deal to plac>> irany a struggling man in a. sound position. The sheep farmers, particularly, have been very fortunate, and, with the rise in wool, the stock values also have increased. According to a well-known Poverty Bay farmer, who was discussing this aspect with the writer a few days ago, the farmer, is on tlie eve of a very prosperous era. "Things are booming/' he commented, "and with two more years of the prices ruling during the season drawing to a close, most of the farmers who are at all pressed will be in a sound position." It appeared to him that the next two seasons would be good ones for market values. Wool appeared to be stable, and the high values ruling this season appeared likely to continue for some time. He anticipated that with favorable conditions, such as those ruling this season, continuing for another two years, the majority of the men on the land would have paid off most of their debits to the banks and commercial firms. After that the farmers would pay more attention to the improvement of'their land, and the saving Of their money. This money, he predicted, would not be spent in the purchase of inore land, hut would be invested in guilt-edged security. There would be no more land booms; the farmers had learned their lesson. They would farm to stay and to save, "and tlie farmers will soon have .money to burn," was his prediction. This, perhaps, might be to the detriment of the country, as more land would not be broken in, but he considered that the farmers would still continue to improve their holdings and their methods of farming, for the increase of production. In this respect the country would receive the benefit. If his prediction of two more successful seasons were realised, the farmers, he i thought, would be more self-reliant, and a decided impetus would be lent to farmer's movements throughout the country. There was a time during the boom when the farmer went to his banker's office in a happy mood, and his hat stuck jauntily on his head, continned the informant. For several years now, however, the farmer had been creeping into the banker's offico with his hat in hand. Already the latter conditions showed signs of disappearing, and if there were two more successful seasons like the one now closing tho farmer would be able to retain hi 3 happy mood when approaching the bank manager.