TASMANIA HITS HARD TIMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18339, 16 December 1927, Page 1

TASMANIA HITS HARD TIMES.

ECONOMIC TANGLES PERPLEX GOVERNMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 16, 11.30 a.m.) lIOBART, December 16. A gloomy picture of the present condition of agriculture in Tasmania was painted by the Premier, Mr Lyons, at the Agricultural Conference at Launceston. Mr Lyons forecasted a big effort to improve matters and outlined a comprehensive scheme of agricultural education. He said that the significant ’feature of the agricultural situation was the decline in the number of small farms and the tendency for holdings to become aggregated into larger holdings, with a consequent decrease in the number of farmers. The steady loss of farm workers was a serious matter for Tasmania. “ We are faced,” said Mr Lyons, “ with declining production, loss of population, a, reduction in the number of farms and economic difficulties reducing the standard of agriculture and checking improvements and in many cases permitting farm lands to revert to a state of nature. “ The Government realises that prosperous agriculture is necessary for the welfare of the State and with this object in view has formulated plans to assist farmers. Specialists in all branches of farming will be appointed to advise farmers.”