PRODUCE MORE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1940, Page 4

PRODUCE MORE.

DOMINION FARMERS. DIRECTOR ON WAR NEEDS. RURAL HOUSING AlfD LABOUR. "New Zealand can best meet the needs of increased production by raising the output from existing farm*, rather than by bringing in large areas of new land at high cost, which may- not greatly benefit production," declared Mr. R. B. Tennent, director of Primary Production, in addressing the Auckland District Council of Primary Production this morning. "Our efforts in production should be directed towards obtaining greater results from the work of those who are at present fanning in New Zealand." he continued. "They have the experience, the capacity and the essentials of production, and their farms are going to be all-important in our national effort, but there are a hundred and one ways in which their method* can be improved to assist production. No farm is up to its maximum producing capacity. Better grass seed, more manuring and better st(K-k are required, and allied with these needs there is the labour question.*'

Discussing farm labour, Mr. Tennent went on to say that there had been much talk of a shortage throughout the Dominion, but a mirvey carried out by the Council of Primary* Production since the war bejran had shown that the shortage generally proclaimed did not exist to the extent stated. During the past season farmers generally had not suffered from a shortage of labour. Next season, however, the position mipht be different, and the council was doing all in its power to retain experienced farm workers on the farms. Over 3000 Enlistments. "Over 3000 men from the farms have enlisted for war service," he said. "They will have to be replaced. To some extent the position will be met by youths leaving school, but men of experience— shearers, shepherds, mnsterers, dairyfactory hands, ploughmen and otherswill be difficult to replace. There are men on public works who have the necessary qualifications, and every inducement must be given to them to return to the farms. "Housing conditions require attention. That is one of the chief difficulties. There is at present a scheme for financing rural housing. Ido not know whether it will be a success or not, but it does not appear to go far enough. To attract men to the farms in sufficient numbers we want the maximum number of houses at the lowest cost in the shortest time. The National Council has placed before the Government recommendations in regard to farm houses, and the Government is most anxious to do all it can to help in diverting men from public works and from the towns into farm employment." There was also a responsibility on the fanners, said Mr. Tennant. in some quarters he had noticed a tendency to expect that everything should be given to them to make their work easier? ami some fanners, when up against difficulties in connection with labour and essential requirements, such as fenciii" wire and materials, were inclined to growl because they had to put up with some hardships. It was necessary that they should determine to meet 'conditions and accommodate themselves to them. Three Ways To Increase Production.

Three ways in which production could bo increased were outlined by the director. The pig population of New Zealand should be increased, he said, as the number of pigs killed had shown a heavy fall. Over the past three years there had been a continuous decline. To assist the position the Government had made barley available at the lowest possible price, and its officers were endeavouring to stimulate farmers to greater efforts in pig production, which was sound economically and essential for the British market. Next, butter production should be expanded, but time is necessary to build up dairy herds. Meanwhile reliance must be placed on improved methods. The Government was assisting by holding the price of superphosphate at prewar levels, for the benefit of farmers thus encouraging the use of a basic fertiliser. Also, the cheap seed menace had been dealt with and was not likely to crop up again, to the detriment of farmers particularly in sowing new pastures. Thirdly, wool and mutton production should be raised. Therefore, a definite drive should be made towards encouraging hill-country farmers to save more ewes. Is Margarine A Menace? To a suggestion by Mr. S. Irwin Crookes, a member of the district council, that the market for butter in Britain had been jeopardised by the competition of margarine since the outbreak of the war, Mr. Tennant replied: "Margarine is a substitute for butter. and no substitute can take the place of butter. It is a cheap food, put on the market as a war measure, but the public of Britain will not adhere to a diet of margarine if they can secure butter. The butter produced by New Zealand will go into consumption, and no substitute will take the place of good, healthy food. It never has and it never will."