INCREASED OUTPUT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 94, 18 October 1939, Page 7

INCREASED OUTPUT

FARM PRODUCTION

COUNCILS TO ADVISE

Acting .on the recommendation of the National Council of Primary Production, the x Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin) has decided to establish district councils to assist in the promotion of increased production. He said yesterday that the chief functions of these councils would be broadly to implement the plans and recommendations of the National Council and to advise it on local developments and requirements of farm production, farm labour, and farm requisites and supplies, and to deal with such problems as the supply of agricultural labour and personnel.

"With a view to carrying out the policy recommended by the National Council," said Mr. Martin, "it is felt that full advantage should be taken of the offers which have been made so spontaneously by all sections of the farming community to assist the Government in fulfilling its obligations to the United Kingdom by maintaining and, where necessary, increasing our supplies of foodstuffs and other primary products for the British market. FORMATION OF COUNCILS. • "I have accordingly decided to establish 'district councils of primary production, . composed of representatives of farmers' and workers' organisations in the chief farming centres of the Dominion, and have arranged that meetings will be convened by the officers of the Department of Agriculture, in the various districts, with a view to setting up these councils. Among the organisations from which members of the district councils will be drawn are the Farmers' Union, the Sheepowners' Federation, New Zealand Workers' Union, agricultural and pastoral associations, young farmers' clubs, and local producers' organisations." l

The Minister. said he felt confident that the appointment of district councils was a step in the right direction. As a result of their establishment in the chief farming centres of ihe Dominion, the Government, through the National Council of Primary Production, would be able to secure the fullest co-operation of the farmers and workers of the Dominion in fulfilling the important task of maintaining adequate production which was so vital in wartime.