THE TURNING POINT.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17133, 21 June 1927, Page 2

THE TURNING POINT.

AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY. VIEWS OF HON. O. J. HAWKEN. “Everywhere I go I find that farmers are asking for more and more help from the department,” stated Hon O. J. Ilawkcn, Minister far Agriculture, when, speaking at the Manawatu A. and P. Association’s smoke concert. “We have at the present time,” he stated, “over 300 officers of the department trying to help the farmers in their work. As instructors in the various divisions they go round the country, and I believe that their visits are appreciated by the farmers. Some say that the expense of education on these lines is too great, hut let me tell you this: I believe that education is the coping stone of the system we have attempted to put into force for many years past. “When the Agricultural College here starts operations—and everything is in. train—an undoubted incentive to the working of the department will be provided, and there will be an immense benefit to the farmers. It is no use farmers saying to me that they don’t want education; they have, in their requests to the department shown that they do. I am confident that, when the college is established, full use wiil be made of the facilities that will be provided, and that the farming community throughout the Dominion will receive great benefit. It is all very well for the farmer to say that, in bis work, he does not need a high-class education, but he is wrong. Intensive farming is coming in; the old style lias to pass and the better class of farming will take its place. If the farmer is lo do better, education will come to his assistance and teach him methods, that he has never attempted in the past. We have the climate and the land, and I believe it is only a matter of education for the exports of this country to be increased. When I went through the show to-day I was struck forcibly by the quality and size of some of the exhibits, and I am sure that anyone who sees what I did will be similarly impressed. The district that can produce exhibits like those of this show is one of high production indeed. Wc all know the quality of this and other land throughout the Dominion, and I am sure that wc are not making full use of it. “1 know,” the Minister proceeded, “that the farmers have been grumbling that labour costs are 100 high, and that they can’t get the necessary supply of labour. While the Government is employing a very large number of men this winter, it docs not want Lo employ them next spring, and wc would like you who arc farmers to help us out when the spring comes round. There arc farmers, J know, who are hard up and will find it difficult to set aside money for that’purpose, but there some who can, employ extra hands, and, if they do so, it will be for the benefit of tho country. It is important that the production of the country should be kept up and that these men should be employed.

“The dairyman in New Zealand lias been the backbone of the country for many years past, and he is going to be so for many years to come. Last season there was an improvement in the quality of our produce that was the greatest wc have eve’.’ had, and I believe that it is going to be maintained I don’t take the view that tilings arc so bad as many make out; I believe that the turning point has been reached. As a sheep farmer," concluded Mr Hawken, “I have felt very uneasy for the last fe.w years about the trend of the market, but I feel confident new that, in all branches of farming, we are down to bedrock, and that the prospect is for the better.” (Loud applause).