THE FARMING INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 26 January 1927, Page 4

THE FARMING INDUSTRY.

WHAT IT IS UP AGAINST. REMARKS BY MINISTER OF LANDS. At the farewell function tendered to Mr W. B. Mathcson at Carterton yesterday, when referring to the difficulties that beset farmers, the Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands, said that never in the history of New Zealand had the position of the farmer required more attention than it did at present. Throughout the world it rvns. coming to be recognised that the system of industrialism Avas undoubtedly top-heavy. In all countries, should a crash come, the farmer would not be worst off. The man on the land at least could live and not starve. He would not like to say ,as much of the people, in the toivns. Farmers and the people in the towns were faced by problems that demanded their joint consideration. Urgiug that more attention should be given to books and other publications which disclosed the position of the farming industry in other countries, Mr McLeod declared that the study of these sources of information would be an eye-opener. Investigation had shown, for instance, that in America, money invested in farming had returned in 1921 and T 922 only one and aquartev percent. In 1926, the corresponding rate was only three per cent. 'Such, a condition of affairs could not go bin ; . . . The. Government, Mr McLeod added, needed the assistance bf farmers in investigating' such claims as were being put forward' by the timber industry. Farmers ; could act effectively in matters of this, kind only by being organised.

Since this time last year, the Minister went on to observe, there had been a depreciation of not less than ten millions sterling in the value of sheep in the Dominion. There were thirty million sheep in New Zealand at the beginning' of each year, and everyone

knew that values were down at least .6s Sd per head. Probably ten shillings was nearer the mark, but at the lower figure there was a total drop of ten millions sterling. “When our industiv is down to that extent,” said the Minister, “we do not rush t?o tlie Government, as some other people do, and say that the industry, must be bolstered up at all costs. We should point out tet the people what this great industry is up,against.”