FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1933, Page 12

FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE

OUTLOOK FOR DOMINION.

LORD BLEDISLOE’S VIEWS.

“Agriculture is not only the backbone of this country to-day, but, in my opinion, is likely to be so for the next w years,” said the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, in an address to the boys at Wesley College last week. “You are forhmate in receiving a training of, the nature which this college provides,” he continued. “The task of winning the highest measure of wealth from the soil is the most patriotic in New. Zealand, and training in youth is an important factor for success.” Tn welcoming His Excellency Mr. J. Stanton, chairman of the college board, mentioned that the aim of the college was to train boys to become intelligent farmers. The principal, Mr. R. C. Clark, said he believed the educational experiment being carried out at the college of training Maori and pakeha lads together was successful. He wished to make no secret of the fact that the education provided there had as a major purpose the inculcating in the boys of a love of the land combined with a willingness and facility to tackle the problems which it presented—a love of nature, and a knowledge of sound farm practice. QUALITY AND UNIFORMITY. Reference to the view which some people took of rural pursuits was made by the Governor-General. “There are a large number of people who think any fool can be a farmer,” he said. “Quite the opposite is true. Farming calls for a high degree of applied intelligence. The intending farmer requires to know his job and to take the trouble to keep pace with scientific teaching and interpret it to his mind in terms of £ s d. Even with present prices for produce, I believe there are many farmers who by thoroughness in their methods of husbandry are winning a very satisfactory living.” “As to dairy farming, there is a feeling that we are already producing as much dairy produce as we can find markets for. But I believe this is quite wrong, providing we go the right way about extending our markets,” continued Lord Bledisloe. “I am looking forward to the time when 10 times the amount of dairy produce that is at present being exported from New Zealand will be leaving this country and obtaining markets in England and other countries. But it has to be of good quality and, above all, of uniformly good quality. EXAMPLE OF DENMARK. “That is where Denmark is more enlightened. Denmark has learned that uniformity is of more importance than occasional good quality. If the British housewife buys a pound of butter and its flavour and quality appeal, she needs to receive just that flavour and quality

again every time if she is to continue purchasing that butter. No second grade butter is allowed to leave Denmark. In fact, it is said that if you wish to taste indifferent butter and bacon, go to Denmark. They export only the best, and consume the other themselves.” The college motto proclaimed to him that the college treated the maintenance of character as the basis of all good education, added His Excellency. And, indeed, there was no other true basis. During his visit Lord Bledisloe inspected the various departments of the college farm in company with members of the board and staff.