INCREDIBLE PROGRESS

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 19984, 7 September 1936, Page 8

INCREDIBLE PROGRESS

LAND SETTLEMENT SCHEME DEVELOPMENT IN WAIKATO. ENGLISH VISITOR’S TRIBUTES. “ They constitute one of the most astonishing demonstrations I have ever seen in the breaking-in of new country from almost primal conditions to productive utilisation —and this in little over two years,” remarked Mr •J. Morgan, agricultural editor of the Daily Herald, London, at the conclusion of his inspection of the Kairingi and Kerakiriki properties of the Waikato Land Settlement Society yesterday. “ I am impressed by the method of 1 nursing ’ men on the land so that they gain expert knowledge together with practical experience and I have also been struck by the response of the men themselves, particularly when the material that is being handled is taken into consideration,” he added.

Mr Morgan referred to the amenities of civilisation that adjoined the properties, such as roads, halls and other things that combined to prevent any exceptional strain on the individuals. The development of erstwhile waste country had been simply incredible and the present state of the properties stood as a glowing tribute to the great work being done by the Waikato Land Settlement Society. The settlements that he had seen definitely showed that the breaking in of new territory by co-operative effort was considerable more effective than by any individual effort.

“ I will certainly point out to the authorities in Wellington the remarkable work that is being done on the settlements and the ultimate good that can 'be achieved by such laudable schemes,” commented Mr Morgan. Dominion’s Marketing Conditions. Mr Morgan is visiting New Zealand primarily for the purpose of obtaining first-hand knowledge of marketing conditions in the Dominion. His mission is to present the case for the New Zealand farmer to the British public and it has the backing of the New Zealand Government, which is supporting the proposal in every way. While in the Dominion it is his intention to have informal discussions with members of the Government on problems of British markets, and he will also give several broadcast talks. Mr Morgan stated that another reason for his visit was the interest that was being taken in the Government’s new legislation at Home and it was felt by the Daily Herald that this was the opportune time to put New Zealand in the news in Great Britain.

In briefly commenting on the guaranteed price scheme, Mr Morgan stated that there was not the slightest doubt that farmers’ organisations in England were critical both of the effect of the exchange and standard price policy. A weakness of the standard price policy was that for its perfect working complementary machinery on the other side was needed, and this did not exist to quite the same extent as in the Dominion. This meant that in all probability New Zealand would have to accept the best elements available in the ordinary trading position overseas for some time, though in this connection New Zealand farmers would have to take full account of the English Milk Marketing Board and the marketing board proposed by the National Association of Creamery Proprietors.

Future Meat Supplies. In referring to the future meat supplies, Mr Morgan said that actually New Zealand was in a very strong position. Without being the least derogatory to the quality of the available New Zealand beef, any transference to New Zealand or Australia of markets formerly held by the Argentin was not likely to hit the English farmer so very hard. One had to recognise that the Argentine supplies of high quality reaching the Home market offered the maximum competition to the home production of beef.

The fact that very large business interests were transferring to New Zealand and Australia meant that they were committing themselves to the business policy of stimulating supplies. They had to take full cargoes Home. At the same time the English farmer would like to see a duty on colonial meat, but the Government at Home was evidently very anxious to do nothing to deter or discourage the Dominion farmer. There was no likelihood of a meat tax on Dominion produce.