MORE PRODUCTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 157, 4 July 1940, Page 19

MORE PRODUCTION.

SUPPORT FOR DRIVE.

ROTORUA FARMERS' ACTION.

PLANS FOR FINANCIAL AID,

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.)

ROTORUA, this dav

A strong appeal to the farmers of the Rotorua district to increase production was made by Mr. R. Candy, of the Dairy Board, in an address to a gathering of approximately sixty farmers in Kotorua yesterday.

Mr. Candy pointed out that it would I>o necessary for farmers all over the Dominion to secure increased production of 101b per cow, and this should easily be attained by the provision of .better feed. It was, however, essential that the ffirm l-.ibonr position should 'be improved, Jttid the Government was prepared to j."ive the fullest assistance in this direction. The drift to Public Worke was lveing diverted bneTc to the land, and the Government was making provision for additional rural housing accommodation. The Dairy Board was of the opinion that farmer* should endeavour to increase, their crops of hay and ensilage. An increase from 20 to "2 5 per cent in tlio production of bacon would be re- • quircd to meet the increased demand. This would not be a simple matter, but it could Ik; achieved. Fanners could pay much more attention to fixe rearing of than they had been doing. In this connection the pig clubs were conducting a drive to encourage farmers to rear more autumn litters for 'bacon wdg.fo.ts. An increase in pig population would necessitate much more feed, and to this end farmers in the Wairarapa had agreed to plant some. 25,000 additional acres of barley. As far as possible, however, farmers should assiet themselves hy growing , carrots, sugar beet, pumpkins and niaize. Every district should form a small committee to make a survey of farm implement and labour requirements, -with a view to ensuring that all facilities were used in the drive for more production. Folio-wing the address, several speakers declared that farmers were being restricted in their production by lack of finance, and they urged that the Government should assist them in this direction, preferably by a system of short-term loans. Mr. Candy in reply, said that the Government was considering making extra money available through the usual channels by way of the dairy companies and 'banks. Mr. E. D. White, a director of the New Zealand Dairy Company, who eonfirmed this, and said that at present hie company -would probably be prepare* to stretch a point to aid production. ! Several other speakers were of the opinion that much heavier manuring wae needed in the district to obtain best results from the land, and it was suggested that the Government be asked, to assist by removing freight on manures in whole, or in part. It was decided on the motion of Mr. S, B. Murray that the meeting assure the Dairyßoard that it was fully in agreement •with the board in its desire to increased production, and ; Were , 'ttiarte* to;" set Up a" committee to carry out ihe necessary survey in the Rotorua district.