BETTER TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 22770, 21 December 1935, Page 14

BETTER TIMES

PROSPEROUS AIR IN PUKEKOHE Higher values for produce have brought to Pukekohe an air of prosperity that has been lacking for the past few years, as it is estimated that the district’s income from produce this season will be about £lOO,OOO greater than last year, comments the New Zealand Herald. The full effect has not yet been felt in the town, but growers are already benefiting from the enhanced values for potatoes, which generally speaking, have been about twice those ruling last season. Men who have had debts hanging over their heads for years now have substantial bank balances, while in one case a grower has been able to pay off the balance of the purchase price of his land, amounting to over four figures. Others, although not quite so fortunate, have been able to discharge bank overdrafts and debts to merchants who have carried them over bad seasons. Throughout the present season buoyant values have ruled for practically all types of produce. There have been no cases of over-supply, consequently wastage has been eliminated. The early potato crop was very short, but this was offset by the exceptionally high values obtained. Prices for the main crop have fluctuated sharply, but at times have reached very high levels, and taken over the season are about twice those ruling a year ago. Moreover, the yield is greater than last year. But the improvment has not been confined to potatoes. Cabbages, too, have beerr profitable. One grower received £3OOO for his crop; another, £2000; while a third, with the proceeds of a few acres of cabbages, was able to pay the year’s rent on his farm of about 40 acres. Supplies of onions held over from last season were not large, but those growers who had stocks received excellent prices. Pumpkins, which sometimes are so cheap that they are not worth sending to market, have this season made further additions to Pukekohe’s produce cheque. These improved prices, however, merely compensate for poor crops and prices during the past three or four years. Growers have experienced a very difficult period, and most have been able to carry - on only with the aid of borrowed money or extended credit, so that this season’s minor boom will simply bring them back to where they started.