132 WHEAT PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND 



Argentine, and Australia, extended their production and 

 their export to the English market; many pastoral 

 pursuits were found to be more profitable in New 

 Zealand, especially trade in frozen mutton and dairy 

 produce. These factors came into operation all within 

 one decade and, as events have proved, exerted a detri- 

 mental effect on the progress of wheat production. 



During the " nineties" the industry wavered and 

 showed a tendency to decline. In the first decade of 

 the present century decline was marked, for then the 

 full significance of the above factors was felt. How far 

 the decline is to continue, and how far the industry is 

 to be crippled by counteracting factors are subjects for 

 study in a succeeding chapter. The history of the 

 movement has been considered carefully in order that 

 the lessons to be derived from experience in the past may 

 furnish as much guidance as possible for forecasts of the 

 future. 



