FARM IMPROVEMENTS

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 72, 28 April 1930, Page 5

FARM IMPROVEMENTS

HAWKE'S BAY' FARMERS AND THE UNEMPLOYED. A PROBLEM OF WIDE SCOPE. Hawke's Bay farmers at the present time, in commoii with others of tlieir calling all over the Dominion, are facing a very considerable problem in respect to seasonal improvements on their properties. An appeal is being made to the farming community to help ease the unemploynient situatioii by providing employment for as many men as possibie in tlie nialring of improvements on their property. The nuestion arises, however, as to whether under ruling •onditions in the industry, the Hawke's Bay farmer is justified in spending money that he is not really able to alford on farrn. improvements of the less necessary sort this Winter. It may be that there is a patch of manuka on his prow'- that he had promised himself that he would clean up this year, but with revenue from 30 to 50 per cent. down on last year and no decrease in expenditure, he is up against a considerable problem in deciding whether he is justified in carrying on with the work. or delaying it until primary products command a larger figure on the world market". T tliink the answer to this rests in the qnestion as to whether the work can he brought in under the productive capacity or ^ot. AVork such as riearing scrub off one's pnddocks and bringing the cleared area into production, as top-dressing and cultivation. will give a return in solid cash, but non-productive work will.I think, be sbe'ved in the mpantime in mqst cases Tbe Hawke's Bny farmer will do his b't in* this direetiou as he nlways has done. but as the brnnch of the communitv hard°st hit b*T the presenteonditions. the small farmer at least cannot he exnected to work miracles.