PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 21 



shown at recent aorienltnral shows. But, unfortunately, there 

 are many exceptions. We re(|uire more up-to-date methods and 

 a greater ap])reciation, on the part of such, of the advantages 

 to be gained by the apphcation of science to agricukure. 

 Academic discussions in ParHament will not bring out the 

 ])otentialities of the soil, which can only be achieved by concen- 

 tration of effort and persevering energy, directed by a policy of 

 enlightened scientific method. It would be useless to claim that 

 such a policy has been generally followed in this country. Agri- 

 culture here has undoubtedlv manv drawbacks, and the progress 

 of the farmer has been greatly hindered by drotight, flood, stock 

 disease and other causes, but how often do we hear that the 

 farmer will not avail himself of the helping- hand offered, and 

 take ad\ antage of the ex])ert assistance which the Government 

 ]ilaces at his disposal? We have but to think of locust destruc- 

 tion and the eradication of scab in sheep. 



The whole land abounds with examples of neglected oppor- 

 tunities. The Government has repeatedly made the statement 

 that it cannot start industries ; it can only give advice. And when 

 we consider for a moment what has been done through its Agri- 

 cultural and Lands Departments, unbiassed observers must admit 

 that advice has l)een showered upon the farmer in such profusion 

 that it has come to be a source of irritation to those engaged in 

 other industries, who accuse the agricultural interests of receiv- 

 ing undue preference. Frankly, we must admit that the farmer 

 in many instances has not made the most of his opportunities. 

 The recently issued reports of the Dominions Commission draw 

 attention to the way in wdiich Canada and Australia have been 

 developed into great producing and exporting countries — it 

 dwells on the wonderful external trade expansion of Canada, 

 which has increased 190 per cent, between the years 1900 and 

 T913— -and emphasises the need for greater population which, of 

 course, means throwing open the land to the newcomer. x\s 

 the member for Stellenbosch has somewhat caustically said, we 

 have *' stoep-isitters at one end and poor whites at the other, and 

 that state of aft'airs is not in the interests of the country. . . . 

 Here the farmer waited for an Act of Parliament, and then 

 often kicked at it." No one can object to the Government assist- 

 ing in every possible way those who are honestly endeavouring 

 to increase the productiveness of the country, and even to assist 

 financially the victims of misfortune, but the manifestation of 

 a spirit of greater self-reliance and progressiveness on the part 

 of many would be greatly welcomed by those who frec[uently 

 complain that there is too much pandering to the agricultural 

 interests. Unwillingness on the part of South Africans, by 

 nativity and ado])tion, to meet the situation and exert their 

 utmost endeavours in well-directed channels, can only lead to 

 the surrenderinu' O'f their o]Ji)ortunities to those more amply 

 qualified by energy and initiative. 



The cry of the world is for greater production. The war 



