“MAKE HAY.”

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 17 November 1924, Page 10

“MAKE HAY.”

PRESENT PRICES MAY NOT HOLD. In a speech at the smoke concert of the Wairarappa .Pastoral and Agricultural Association, the Hon. A. D. McLeod (Minister of Lands) drew attention to the need for further development of land in the Dominion, although it had exported or 25s an acre for, the approximately 40,000,000 acres occupied. This was a wonderful record for only 80 years of settlement, and a sterling tribute to the efforts of the carlv settlers.

The volume of production was not going up as rapidly as it should, continued the Minister. There was evklclonce of a very much better producing season this year than last ,but farmers could only appreciably increase the volume of the Dominion’s output if they got the necessary finance for further development of the country already under occupation. He believed that there would be a serious drop in the lambing percentages averaged all over the Dominion .which would mean 10 per cent, less than the lambing of last year. The exchange rate was not likely to improve, but would probably remain at 3 per cent, or worse. Alter discussing the financial situation, and pointing out that the exchange rate was not likely to improve so long as our pxports so largely exceeded our imports, the Minister struck a warning note in legard to the future. “We will bo fortunate.” he said, “if this year’s, or r-v"n last year’s, prices continue. The oninion of nieii who have given the matter a lifetime of study is in the opposite direction. Make hay while the sun shines, and get the right, side of the mortgage, so that vou wil not have fo think night and day of the little old man Hint sits on the fence.”