MORE PRODUCTION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 251, 31 July 1940, Page 3

MORE PRODUCTION

THE APPEAL TO FARMERS.

CONFIDENCE IN RESULT. .The meeting, of farmers in Ashburton yesterday afternoon, when appels for greater production were made, was continued after the “Guardian” went to press. Mr J. Dunlop (a member of the Dairy Board said that disaster after disaster had befallen the allies and it was time that New Zealanders were allin on the side of England, who was now left on her own. There might be criticisms but they should be put cn on© side as the farmers got together to help England, answering the SOS 1 . The Dominion could, and should, provide many of the food items required by Britain. The call had gone out for 15,000 tons of cheese and 10,000 tons of pig meat more than last year. The Midland Dairy Company at Ashburton had thrown all its weight into the demand and when the figures were available this district would not have anything to be ashamed of. Mr W. W. Mulbolland said that whether the shipping was available or not, New Zealand must speed up its production of foodstuffs and have it ready for Lord Woolton had said that the nation with the long food supply would win. There would be millions of pounds worth of stocks that would never be used, but production must go on to give a. large margin of safety. There were difficulties, but most of these could be overcome. Toward this end, the district committee could do good work. The whole point was that something definite and concrete should be done. He had every confidence in the farmers of the County facing up to the great difficulties that would have to be faced in the interests of the Dominion’s war effort.

The speakers answered a number of questions. Messrs Mulbolland and Dunlop gave an assurance that they would take up with the Government thei question of farms with more than nine cows coming under the provisions of the dairy award, with increased pay. with a view to these, farms being • neleased from the etxtra burden when extra cows over nine are milked in an endeavour to assist the extra cheese production.

Mr Raymond Oakley advocated the change over to cheese! production of more factories in the North Island and leave the South Island to concentrate on pig meat production. Mr Dunlop said that in the circumstances of the north it would! he most difficult to moct the increase as suggeested. It was decided that the Ashburton Primary Production Council should be set up as an organising committee and tlnat it should arrange for the establishment of district committees.

The speakers were warmly thanked for their contributions to tins discussion.