CONCLUSION 293 
rural produce on the lines of the State Market Com- 
missions in many States of America.* But it should 
be free from political control. 
The transportation problem presents some formidable 
questions, especially for those producers who are situated 
at a distance from the railway. It is unfortunate that 
our main line in the South Island should run so close 
to the seashore, throughout the length of the wheat 
producing area. It is also unfortunate that the railway 
claims of many districts, only very sparsely populated, 
should have received consideration from politicians in 
preference to those of the more densely peopled districts 
in the wheat area. Railway communication has been 
pushed to extremes in the former districts, notably in 
Central Otago and Southland, while little development 
has taken place in Canterbury during the last three 
decades. 
A further important suggestion refers to the means 
for improving farm management. The principles of 
scientific management, in so far as they can be applied 
to agriculture in New Zealand, would improve the 
general efficiency of the rural producer. Our farmers 
must develop foresight and ingenuity, qualities which 
are necessary for good management in any sphere. A 
skilful rotation of crops; an eye to the net advantages 
to be gained in pursuing any one method of cultivation; 
the ability to discern the point when the margin of 
profitable cultivation has been reached in any process; 
a careful balancing of the two main pursuits—agri- 
cultural and pastoral—; tactful handling of his men 
so that he may secure their individual initiative and 
their goodwill and esteem; a knowledge of commercial 
functions — or sufficient discernment to select sound 
commercial specialists as agents to transact his trading 
*See Article by Prof. Plehn in the ‘‘American Economic 
Review,’’ March, 1918. Vol. VIII., No. 1, pages 1-27. 
Ka 
