SHORTAGE OF VEGETABLES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 60, 11 March 1944, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF VEGETABLES

A/EGETABLE supplies are short, shorter than the public realises, said * the president of the Franklin Produce Growers' Association yesterday. The public certainly has some realisation of the shortage because of the prices which they pay for some vegetables not on the fixed price list, and because of the lack of quality and variety in many of the shops. If that is the case now, when growth is still fairly fast, we can expect very difficult conditions when the cold weather almost brings growth to a standstill. The shortage is due to the inevitable demands of the war machine, demands which it is our duty to fulfil to the utmost of our ability. But with the drain on manpower in the market gardens adding to the difficulties caused by so much production being required for the military Services the position throughout the winter will, in view of meat rationing, become very difficult indeed. People will have to depend upon themselves for supplies to a very great extent. There is still time to fill up vacant spaces in the home garden or to dig new beds, and in the interests of health every available inch of space should be fully planted without delay. There has as yet been no official report on the allegation of wanton waste of green vegetables in the north reported by Mr. A. J. Murdoch, M.P., but if the facts are as he stated the lack of imagination displayed by those concerned is fantastic.