LAND VALUES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20108, 15 May 1935, Page 5

LAND VALUES

A VISITOR’S OPINION By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, May 14. A visitor to Wellington to-day was Mr D. G. Davidson, of London, who later left with his wife for San Francisco en route to England. They declare that New Zealand is the most beautiful country in the world. Mr Davidson 30 years ago was a resident of New Zealand for 18 years as assistant ’nspector of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand. “When I was here four years ago,” said Mr Davidson, “I warned you that your land values were too high. The Government and owners must attune themselves to still lower readjustment of land values, rural and urban. Another thing of concern to your country is the nature of Its products. Knowing the Argentine as I do, I am inclined to think it Inadvisable for New Zealand to go in for beef raising as it seems inclined to do through the discovery of the chilling process. You are too far away from the English market. The Argentine can produce wonderful beef and have it in the Smithfield market in a few days. In regard to butter and cheese, there should be no letup in the improvement of quality. You can only afford to raise the standard, and there are experts who say that this should not be difficult, particularly In regard to your cheese which I have been given to understand is not always up to the highest grade.”