INITIATIVE AND COURAGE

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1934, Page 15 (Supplement)

INITIATIVE AND COURAGE

CHARACTERISTICS OF PROVINCE PRIME MINISTER’S CONFIDENCE . “With pleasure I avail’myself of the invitation to contribute a statement for publication in the special Dairy Industry number of the Taranaki Daily News. “In any mental picture of the current dairying position shadows unfortunately are prominent, and lest this be allowed to dominate unduly our outlook in these times it is highly desirable to bear ; in mind that certain permanent circumstances of dairying give strong and sound encouragement: for viewing the future with confidence., “Of fundamental importance is. the fact that in respect to what may. be termed human equipment, or personnel, New Zealand dairying is excelled by none of its competitors and equalled by few, if any. This is a formidable claim, but its proof lies in a record of achievement in which Taranaki has worthily played its part. Let Taranaki look back 60 years and it will find much over which to ponder. Inevitably one momentous fact stands out: without industry, initiative and of a high order the pioneers could not have made the rapid progress that attended their endeavours. That the present rural community is well worthy of the pioneer stock is illustrated by various facts relative to Taranaki dairying: .testing discloses that Taranaki has a group of herds which averaged over 30011?. of butter-fat—for the Dominion a unique performance; a production of 3001 b. of butterfat an acre lias been obtained in Taranaki—not a unique performance, but nevertheless far from common, and certainly indicative of high efficiency. While such instances are restricted in scope they are known to be indicative ,of the general Jrend."

.“The future may call, indeed probably will call, as the past has done, for the handling of novel situations and problems. Fortunately, the fanning personnel promises to measure up so well that we may face such tasks without misgiving. The fact, that nature has been kind to us in such vital matters as climate and soil should also give us confidence. The association of favourable natural conditions with efficient personnel strengthens one’s optimism as to the result of New Zealand’s participation, on anything approaching equal terms, in world competition. “As much of the present doubt and discouragement arises from the view that further expansion in production “ would lead to, glutted markets and so is not economically desirable, it seems worth pointing out that there is some justification for the optimistic view that the present market situation is temporary and will eventually disappear to be followed by an expanding and relatively prosperous agriculture. “History assuredly supports this view. Further, the position in Great Britain, our principal market, seems significant Great' Britain consumes per head only 241 b of butter to our 401 b, about\3olb of mutton to our 801 b, and about 801 b of beef to our 1451 b. As the view that there is over-consumption in New Zealand is not accepted it seems to follow necessarily that the possibilities of con-

sumption in Great Britain are far from fully developed. “The: overseas trade position for the year ended June 30, 1934, as disclosed by official statistics, seems worthy of mention. The exports for the period are of particular interest in that they cover a complete production year. In terms of New Zealand currency, and .’excluding specis, exports for the year ended June 30, 1934, amounted to £49,141,914 as compared with £37,470,65? for the corresponding previous year. The excess of exports over impc-*s, in terms of sterling, was £17,951,000 for 1933-34 as compared with £9,903,000 fo" 1932-33. These figures, indicative of an improved national position, are reflected in the June banking figures which reveal a much improved position compared with June, 1933. “World airs continue to be unstable, and it is impossible to forecast relative to them with any worth-while ‘assurance. As ’ New Zealand’s well-being is to a large extent governed by world conditions, it would be rash to make definite forecasts concerning even the immediate futur bu it can be stated with confidence that the outlook for New Zealand farming is distinctly hopeful provided the farming community continues to exercise the energy, resourcefulness, and intelligence by which past success has been at! ined. G. W. FORBES. Prime Minister.