ACT NOW

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 239, 9 October 1942, Page 4

ACT NOW

GROWERS' WARNING

PLANTING OF VEGETABLES

"It cannot be denied that the sands are running out, with very little having been done of a practical nature," stated a letter by the Dominion Council of Commercial Gardeners. sent to the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Barclay, prior to the statement which the Minister made yesterday concerning the urgency of further vegetable supplies. A Dominion-wide survey had revealed that even normal production of vegetables would not be reached, gt a time when the demands of the armed forces called for a much greater output.

The council stressed the fact that, as growers, they had a keen appreciation of the time factor. Evidence showed that as time went on growers' difficulties were increasing, and, at this critical time, when planting operations should be in full swing. even normal production would not be maintained.

"It was with a view to establishing proof of our premonitions in this respect that a Dominion survey has been made, based on the opinions of responsible growers in all the producing centres of the Dominion, and in the principal districts this opinion is amply confirmed." stated the letter to the Minister. "Typical expressions from districts such as Auckland. Pukekohe, Nelson, Hutt Valley, and Christchurch are set out 'in an appendix to this letter by way of illustration.

We want you to understand that the growers of the Dominion will feel a personal responsibility if the Government fails through lack of planning to fulfil its contract requirements, and it is this view and not the view of personal profit which actuates them in putting before you the following recommendations which it firmly hopes you will act upon without the least delay. Classification Urged "(1) The enactment of the Commercial Gardeners' Registration Bill repeatedly urged by growers and recommended by the Price Tribunal presided over by a judge of the Supreme Court, which was appointed to investigate vegetable prices last year.

(2) The immediate classification of commercial gardening as an essential industry. "(3) The creation of a reservoir of lull-time competent labour, formed it is suggested, from Italian prisoners of war, as being the most convenient source.

(4) Encouragement to be given uv"? es ;for the utilisation of additional land such as those submitted by members of the Hutt Valley Producers' Association If such a scheme could be inaugurated in the Hutt Valley, it may serve as a model for other districts in New Zealand.

i u Tl ? e Provision of auxiliarv labour for harvesting crops and carrying out other peak work, e u the services of organised bodies of women, boy scouts, and secondary school pupils. "(6) The encouragement of the commercial growers' efforts in everv possible way and the stimulation of their patriotic impulses. ;nriil\^ n official Pronouncement indicating that, after the war the rtJE !'f re f ) ed for additional production should not be maintained in such a manner as may detrimentallyproduct, C o o „ ramercia ' srowers ' ° w! >

Close co-operation between Government and this organisa-

Essential Facilities We know from our own personal experience that production will wane unless the facilities which you alonl are able to make available are mpHp available it is felt that by alfow?™ ,'? 10 >our confidence and we ho ■ co "°Per ate with you, Z lustlfv thf lven the °PP° r tunitv u e re Peated statement the iob tbaT e i made - hat we can d 0 tne job that is required of us anri Which we are anxious, in the inter effor? but y °i f the omini °n's war Nations, to dcx ° f the United feel i hat the absence of regisquence the rilt immediate conse- ' S,, disorganisation of the industry, together with the transfer through ant wish onThJpSro'f K producer, but because of the inabiitv PosstlfU!" eff ° rtS in the H.S e , Registration Bill was intro obtaining: hJfSSSSS by ta e e d d.i° ,he f ™"growerL It was'