MORE PRODUCTION.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue 86, 13 April 1927, Page 1

MORE PRODUCTION.

NATIONAL EFFORT NEEDED.

FARMERS’ UNION APPEALS.

The New Zealand Farmers’ Union has issued a memorandum on the economic position of the Dominion, particularly on the agricultural side. It urges that a national attempt be made to increase production, cut costs and meet the ever-increasing competition from New Zealand’s rivals in the world's markets. “The dependence of New Zealand for about 95 per cent, of her exports upon her agricultural and pastoral industries makes those industries absolutely vital in the progress of the Dominion,” states the memorandum. DAIRY FARMERS’ HARD TIME.

The 54,605 dairy farmers of New Zealand have had much less to divide than the 25,045 sheepfarmers, who have had fairly good prices for wool and lamb in recent years. With the ruling low rates for dairy produce, the dairy farmer of the Dominion is having a hard time. During the period from 1921-25 there was a marked increase in the export of dairy produce, a slight decrease in the output of frozen meat, whilst the export of wool has fluctuated, 1921 and 1922 being the greatest export years. A survey of the whole economic position clearly points to our national progress being saved by a national attempt (1) to concentrate upon a higher level of production, owing to more effective mobilisation of our resources; (2) to reduce materially the cost of production; and (3) to meet the markets at all times. Between 1913 and 1924 the following countries increased their production:—South Africa, 160 per cent.; Canada, 142

per cent.; Japan, 135 per cent.; New Zealand, 124 per cent.; Argentina, 109 per cent.; Australia, 100 per cent.; Denmark, 93 per cent. BETTER FARMING AND BREEDING. The main factors contributing toward increased production, says the memorandum, appear to be (i) better farming; (2) better breeding. A systematic attempt should be made to increase the production of our herds by using better bulls and by culling useless cows; (3) a vigorous national endeavor to place the pork industry on a better footing; (4) a marked reduction in the cost of production and in the cost of living, and, in a minor degree; (5) a more vigorous land policy on the part of the Government.

In regard to land settlement it is remarked that between 1922 and 1926 there was an increase of only 835 holdings, involving an area of 78,492 acres, but, as a set off, land depreciation since the war, due to the high cost of labor, is calculated at £lO,000,000. During the period from 1921 to 1926 there was a decrease of farm workers (owners and employees) from 146,380 to 137,451.