THE WEEK

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23753, 26 September 1942, Page 3

THE WEEK

POTATOES V. BREAD The decision of the British Ministry of Food to increase the price of bread with the object of encouraging a greater consumption of potatoes and so saving much shipping space presents some interesting reflections. An acre of potatoes of an 8-ton crop would mean about 17,5001b of potatoes. It was calculated a number of years ago in New Zealand, when consumption was much greater than it is to-day, that 4491b annually a head was consumed—in other words, an 8-ton an acre crop would supply the needs of 43 people for the year. It was estimated at the same time that the average annual human consumption of wheat was six bushels, so that an average crop of 36 bushels of wheat would feed six people as against 43 from an average good crop of potatoes. Of course, there is no comparison in the amount of work, but if the British Food Ministry's new scheme works there will certainly be some saving of shipping space. In the period in which these calculations were made the annual Now Zealand area of potatoes grown ranged about 26,000 acres, as against recent averages of 18,000. but the population then was under 1,000,000. In the particular year instanced the export was only 300-odd tons, so apparently all the 135,000 tons produced went into consumption. On recent figures of production, when the increase of about 70 per cent, in population is taken into account, it would appear that the average consumption a head is about half the amount of 35 to 40 years ago. An “eat more potato" campaign might be useful presently in preparation for next season, when it is not improbable that there will be a potato production equal to that of the day of big families and less aesthetic tastes. With the impasse that has occurred in respect of labour for cereal cropping the wheat programme, on the other hand, may have suffered to some extent.

A SOURCE OF LABOUR A speaker some months ago at a meeting of the Christchurch Primary Production Council, when that body was wrestling with the problem of farm labour, suggested, somewhat jocularly, perhaps, the possibility of bring* ing a few ship loads of Italian prisoners here to fill the bill. At that time our forces were gathering them up like mushrooms, and it appeared as if the supply would last for the duration. How the proposer intended to overcome the New Zealand decalogue in respect of the 40-hour week, the bank to bank clause, the bursts of “go-slow," and other tolerated labour idiosyncrasies in his scheme, he did not suggest, but his proposal, if given effect to. would certainly provide some fireworks from that angle. The speaker's main reason for the proposal was that the country badly wanted labour, and reserves of it were drying up under the military needs. Another reason was that we were using much required shipping to carry foodstuffs to these prisoners, and it would be better to bring the prisoners to the food—a case of Mahomet and the mountain again. Still another reason was that ■ large numbers of these Italians were working on the farms in England and had been found to be civil and obliging, and hadn’t heard about goslow, Another was that they lived in cantonments and provided for themselves. Still another was that the unskilled worker was paid IJd an hour and the “skilled" 2d, and finally New Zealand was the only British country that did not have Italian prisoners. How the 2d an hour would go down in this country can be left to the imagination, but that we should not have given the idea a semblance of thought whilst other British dependencies have been acting on it since the mushroom gathering started, shows how far away we are from the actual war. The writer was reminded of the subject of the foregoing proposal by a reader because had it been adopted when first proposed these Italians would have been here now, when the farm labour position is ’ very much worse, as then we had our own men to draw upon, and to-day we have only a few of them. The Italians, moreover, contrary to the popular conception, are not all fish and chips merchants. The writer has the authority of a highlyplaced officer who was in military charge of a transport taking Italian prisoners to India. He collected a record of their occupations, and 90 per cent, were agriculturists. The Italiano has slipped badly as a warrior since those brave days of old when Horatious was the stout fellow at the bridge, but nevertheless, it would be cheaper on figures to pay him 2d an hour than chase him round the desert. This week the idea of utilising Italian labour received.further support—from the council to which the suggestion was originally made. But now the farm labour position is desperate.

SHEARING WORKERS PROCEDURE OF PRIMARY PRODUCTION COMMITTEES Tfte main duties of primary production committees in respect to this season’s shearing concern mainly:— (1) Securing adequate labour for farmers. (2) Conserving shearing manpower as far as possible. With this end in view all farmers are required to submit particulars of their requirements to the local primary production committees, which are composed of men who know local conditions. These applications should give the following details:—

(1) Name, regimental number, age. medical grading, and married or single status of any men sought for release from the armed forces. (2) Name, address, industry at present engaged in of any men sought for release from essential industry. (3) Men already booked for shearing season, whether soldier, civilian or employee in essential industry. (4) The sheds comprising the run, if any. If none arranged, those sheds possible of amalgamating into a run. (5) The approximate starting dates of each shed. (6) The total number of men required te.g., three shearers, one fleecy, one roller, one classer, one cook, etc.) covering the total personnel booked and still required for each shed. (7) Number of sheep to shear and approximate period of shearing. Care should be taken to note that if any two farmers require or nominate the same worker, where evident ascertain if this man is required to “follow cn” from one shed to the other, or whether the dates clash. Attention to the supplying of the above details will prevent many of the causes for delaying action, and so expedite the release and placing of men, as well as allowing farmers to start as near as possible on the arranged dates with their full complement of hands. After these details have been complied with the primary production committees will immediately forward the applications to the secretary. Primary Production Council. On no account must these co direct to the National Service Department or appeal board.