LORD BLEDISLOE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 286, 2 December 1929, Page 7

LORD BLEDISLOE

URGES CO-OPERATION OWNERSHIP v. TENANCY HERALD’S ADVERSE NOTE [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] Received Dec. 1, 9.50 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 30. Lord Bledisloe is a fine type of English gentleman. He is of medium height, athletic build, grey haired, moustached. He is an enthusiastic farmer with extensive estates in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. These he farms on the most modern principles, securing the highest wheat averages. He is an expert in the treatment of grasslands improvement and the breeding of live stock. He is a strong supporter of the principle of small holdings worked by a farmer family as opposed to the tenant system. He advocates co-operation by farmers not merely in the sale of produce, but also in the purchase of raw materials, transportation, and the use of credit facilities. He considers farmers should organise for the control of the wholesale markets and regulate the sale of their products. Lord Bledisloe is particularly interested in New Zealand’s dairy produce market system, and keenly anticipates observing the scheme in actual operation in New Zealand. He had intended to lead the farmers’ delegation which will shortly visit Australia and New Zealand. He expects to embark for New Zealand in January.

In an article published in the Spectator, Lord Bledisloe said that the creation of small family farms had become an urgent nee.d for output of home grown food and the production of efficient men and women, well equipped for the task of peopling the overseas Empire. “It is, indeed, the human products of the peasant proprietary system, such as exists in Scandaaavia, which has provided Australia, Canada and New Zealand with far more experienced, more confident, type of settlers. than Great Britain is able to do, either from its urban unemployed or from the ill-equipped denizens of the devitalised countryside, operating helplessly under a worn out territorial economic system.’’ Lord Bledisloe, speaking to-night at a dinner of the Gloucester Institute of Bankers, said that he was rather preoccupied because three days ago the King on the recommendation of the Government of one of the foremost Dominions, had asked him to undertake the Governor-Generalship of New Zealand. It was with the deepest regret he would have to absent himself from the dear Old Country for five years'. He felt most diffident, but he would try to justify His Majesty’s selection and would do the best in his power as an Englishman and Gloucesterhireman. The only discordant note regarding Lord Bledisloe’s appointment was struck by the Daily Herald, which asks why the Government should appoint a Tory. It might well have followed the precedent of Tasmania, where Mr O ’Grady acquitted himself with distinction.