DEVELOPMENT OF ACRICULTURE.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12764, 4 February 1910, Page 2

DEVELOPMENT OF ACRICULTURE.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS DONE. POSITION OF THE MEAT TRADE. SPEECH BY THE HON. T. MACKENZIE. Responding to the toast of his health at the Golden Bay A. and P. Association's annual supper on Tuesday evening, the Hon. Thos. Mackenzie, Minister of Agriculture, said that agriculture and mining were chiefly responsible for tho success of the Dominion. Last year the exports reached £20,000,000 in value, ninetenths of which came from the land, and mining. This would enable them to understand what the people on the land were doing. Ifc was not until the present Government came into power that the Agricultural Department was formed, and it was carrying on experimental work in variouß parts of the Dominion for the benefit of the farmer. It was amazing to him^fchat the agriculturists did not recognise what the Government had done for them. They .had spent £80,000 in developing the dairying industry, and the day previously he had received a cable stating that New Zealand butter was quoted at 120s per cwt on the London market. (Applause.\ There was still room for improvement in the class of cows, and the Government were carrying out experiments with a view to getting better milking strains. They were also carrying out most valuable experiments in connection with the pork industry. In regard to the frozen meat industry, it was in a perilous position. They had reached the limit of the London market, and must look elsewhere for the disposal of their output. Flocks were increasing in our own counties, and were decreasing in Russia, France, and Germany. These countries required our meat, but -they had placed such restrictions that they could not get the meat into these countries. Germany had completed seven trade treaties with various countries to the detriment of the Old Country. Unless there was enormous industrial development whereby Great Britain could employ her people, there would not be markets for the stuff. In 1908 Great Britain went back, but there was a slight recovery in 1909. There must, lie said, Be a freer exchange between Great Britain and her colonies, and they must have preference. How were the people to get work who were buying their butter? They must protect themselves from foreign competition ', and strengthen the Navy to protect the Old Country and the colonies. Mr Mackenzie received an ovation at tho conclusion of his remarks.