Legislative Assembly

Albany interchange. A contract for nearly one million dollars has been awarded for the Albany traffice interchange and this work will be completed this year. This has always been a busy and somewhat dangerous traffic centre and I am sure that

new arrangements will be very beneficial to the traffic movement and the safet of this traffic both now and when the crossing is in operation. y

Now, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say a little about agriculture and it is with some regret that I now discuss our most important industry in somewhat less than optimistic terms. .It is quite apparent that unsatisfactory potato prices for two years, together With lower prices for hogs and poultry products combined with a poor grain crop and some poor processing crops altogether, have produced serious problems for many farms. The foregoing is only part of the problem. The other is the rapid changes which are taking place in agriculture generally. These changes are manifested in the need for larger farm units if satisfactory living standards are to be attained by the farmer and his family. The original land settlement pattern in this province laid the foundation for farms which in terms of today’s requirements are considered small. However, it must be realized the size of the farm operations is not always a guarantee of success. The large, poorly managed farm will not be as profitable as the smaller one where industry and management are of a higher order. Nevertheless, their economies and efficiencies associated with the larger unit, good management applies to the larger unit, produces greater rewards and where the capital involved is large, returns are increased. Labor management and capital are the ingredients which produce income on the farm. Recognition of these advantages does not rule out the desirability of providing the smaller farmer with assistance which will enable him to improve his operation and expand it along possible lines. What needs to be recognized and this is important to avoid confusion is that one part of the problem is caused by unsatisfactory prices and the other part is the result of adjustment in methods and size of operation forced upon the industry. This Province has a number of very important agricultural advantages. Eventually these advantages, together with our location, should add up to a satisfactory and profit- able industry but this situation will not come without long-term planning and it is in this connection that considerable importance must be attached to the comprehensive development plan now being prepared. Without going into detail on different ap- proaches which might be indicated it would appear that emphasis must be placed on the need of education for the ambitious young people who are interested in farming. While the son may acquire experience and knowledge of value from his father, this approach is not by itself satisfactory as changes in agriculture now take place so rapidly that even the most progressive farmers cannot forsee this. With expanded facilities and modern farm courses I believe that the Nova Scotia Agricultural College would appear to be a logical solution to this problem. At the moment the accute problem is the difficulty which many farmers are faced with in looking after their financial obligations. The farmer cannot perform miracles. If he is selling below the cost of production he must of necessity slow down his repayment of obligations. It has been suggested that a delay in payment on capital obligations should be con- sidered and while it might be possible for Government lending agencies, the banks, etc., to extend this type of accommodation some difficulties would certainly de- velop in our own business community. As a minimum it is to be hoped that credi- tors will be as reasonable as possible in their policy on collection. Now, while paying every attention to the possibilities in new crops and new industries, we should not lose sight of making the fullest use of those operations which have proven their worth through the years. It is surprising that our cattle and dairy business, both of which gave reasonably satisfactory returns last year, appear to be declining in popularity with our farmers. It is true any livestock operation is demanding in terms of labor but what may appear to be easier ways of making money does not always provide .the stability of income related to the cattle operation and I would note that finanCiers always seem to have a high degree of confidence in the farmer who maintains a reasonably good herd of cattle. Now, Mr. Speaker, potatoes as our most important cash crop has exerted a great deal of influence on our community. At times such as these, much publicity and attention is directed to the method of marketing the crop. Unfortunately there seems to be a marked difference of opinion in this connection and very great difficulties in getting the industry to make a down—to-earth examina- tion of the system and whether or how it can be improved. With a highxlegree of suspicion within the industry it may be necessary to bring forward an objective ex- amination of potato marketing by persons who are not involved directly and who

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